The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Anderson Promotes Zimmerman, Cleveland
5/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
May 24, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB head men's basketball coach Mike Anderson did not have to look far to fill the coaching vacancy on his staff. Anderson announced Tuesday that current assistant coach Matt Zimmerman has been promoted to fill the vacancy left by Scott Edgar's departure. T.J. Cleveland, who has been UAB's video coordinator the past three seasons, has also been promoted, filling Zimmerman's role.
Edgar, who had been one of UAB's assistant coaches and chief recruiters since Anderson took the helm of the Blazer program in 2002, left in mid-April to take a similar position at the University of Tennessee.
"We had a lot of interest from many quality candidates, but as I looked at filling Coach Edgar's position, I felt the best candidates were right here in our own program," Anderson said. "Certainly one of the reasons we have experienced the success we have is our staff."
Zimmerman, who has been a member of Anderson's staff in all three of his seasons at UAB has been primarily involved with opponent scouting, on-court coaching, practice administration and team travel in that time. In his tenure with UAB, the Blazers have made three straight postseason appearances, including back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 2004 and 2005. Zimmerman will continue many of his duties, but will now become more heavily involved in recruiting.
Prior to UAB, Zimmerman had a very successful tenure as a high school head coach in Arkansas. He spent three years (1987-90) as head manager and a student assistant under head coach Nolan Richardson at Arkansas when Anderson was the Razorback's assistant head coach.
Cleveland, who has also been with the UAB program the last three years, is assuming his first assistant coaching position after coordinating video tape and film operations, including overseeing opponent film exchange, for the Blazers. The Birmingham, Ala., native and former Minor High School prep star also oversaw UAB managers and assisted with the day-to-day operations of the Blazer men's basketball program. His new role will involve more on-court coaching and practice administration as well as additional administrative duties.
Prior to UAB, Cleveland was a standout guard for Richardson at Arkansas, where he ranks in the top five all-time in both steals and assists. In his time with the Razorbacks, he helped guide the team to three NCAA Tournaments and an SEC Tournament Championship.
"Both Matt and T.J. have done tremendous jobs in the three years we have been here and I am confident they will continue to make significant contributions to our program and move Blazer basketball to another level," Anderson added.
For the upcoming season, Anderson and the Blazers return three starters and all but three letterwinners from last year's 22-11 effort which resulted in UAB's second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Blazers upset SEC West Champion LSU in the tournament's first round before falling to Arizona in the round of 32.
Zimmerman and Cleveland join Chris Giles to make up Anderson's staff for 2005-06. Giles has also been an assistant under Anderson in each of his three years with UAB.
