Assistant coaches Bacari Alexander and LaVall Jordan discuss what it means for Michigan to make its first Final Four appearance in 20 years (April 3, 2013).
Bacari Alexander begins his third season as an assistant coach with the University of Michigan basketball program. A Detroit native, Alexander will be one of U-M's top recruiters and coach the Maize and Blue post players, while continuing to help in the development of defensive strategies, scouting opponents and on-court coaching.
In his two seasons in Ann Arbor, Alexander has helped the Wolverines to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and 20-win seasons, as well as claim a share of the 2012 Big Ten regular-season title with a 13-5 record -- the first for the program since 1986.
Alexander came to Michigan after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Western Michigan (2008-10). Working with the Broncos' young group of frontcourt players, Alexander helped Flenard Whitfield make the Mid-American Conference (MAC) All-Freshman Team in 2009, and guided the Broncos to their second-straight MAC West Division championship.
Before making his way to Western Michigan, Alexander spent one season at Ohio (2007-08) helping the Bobcats finish 20-13 overall and advance to the second round of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.
Alexander began his coaching career spending six seasons coaching at his alma mater, University of Detroit (2002-07), under head coach Perry Watson. Alexander helped the Titans compile 96 wins in six seasons, including 53 victories in the Horizon League, finishing .500 or better in conference play in five-of-six seasons.
Throughout his coaching career, Alexander has developed over 80 percent of his former front court players to gain opportunities to play professional basketball at various levels.
As a collegiate player, Alexander spent two seasons at Detroit after transferring from Robert Morris. Alexander started 57 of his 62 games at Detroit, helping the Titans win a pair of Midwestern Collegiate Conference (MCC) regular-season championships and secure back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths -- 1998 and 1999. As a senior, Alexander was named to the MCC All-Defensive Team.
Prior to playing at Detroit, Alexander played two seasons at Robert Morris where he saw action in 55 games. He was named to the Northeast Conference All-Newcomer Team in 1995. Alexander prepped at Detroit Southwestern under Larry Pierce.
Alexander received the President's Award as UDM's most outstanding senior student-athlete, and graduated in 1999 with a bachelor's of science in business administration and finance. After graduation, he went to work for the Detroit Pistons as a Player Programs Coordinator, then left to return to the court as a member of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters. During his two seasons (2000-01) with the Trotters, Alexander played basketball in 13 countries, while also directing several camps for the team around the United States.
Additionally, he served as an "Advance Ambassador" for the Globetrotters, performing public relations duties, while making media and school appearances. In 2002, all past and current Globetrotters were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Alexander has also been recognized as one of the most fashionable assistant coach in America. Alexander is a four-time (2005, '07, '09, '10) winner of CollegeInsider.com's Runway to the Fashionable Four and runner-up in 2008. He is the only four-time winner (head or assistant coach) in the contest's history.
Alexander remains active in the metro Detroit area and surrounding communities, volunteering as a motivational speaker promoting optimism and responsibility.
Alexander and his wife, Kesha, have one son, Mekhi.
The Bacari Alexander File
Born: September 15, 1976 Hometown: Detroit, Mich. High School: Southwestern High School College: University of Detroit, 1999 (BS, Business Administration and Finance) Family: Married, wife Kesha; children, Mekhi
Coaching Career
Years
School
Position
1996-2001
University of Detroit
Assistant Coach
2007-08
Ohio University
Assistant Coach
2008-10
Western Michigan University
Assistant Coach
2010-present
University of Michigan
Assistant Coach
Coaching Career Breakdown
Year
School
Title
Record
Conf.
Finish
Postseason
2001-02
Detroit
Assistant Coach
18-13
11-5
2nd
NIT, Opening Round
2002-03
Detroit
Assistant Coach
18-12
9-7
t-4th
-
2003-04
Detroit
Assistant Coach
19-11
10-6
t-4th
-
2004-05
Detroit
Assistant Coach
14-16
9-7
3rd
-
2005-06
Detroit
Assistant Coach
16-16
8-8
t-3rd
-
2006-07
Detroit
Assistant Coach
11-19
6-10
t-7th
-
2007-08
Ohio
Assistant Coach
20-13
9-7
t-3rd (E)
CBI, Second Round
2008-09
Western Michigan
Assistant Coach
10-21
7-9
t-1st (W)
-
2009-10
Western Michigan
Assistant Coach
18-15
8-8
t-2nd (W)
-
2010-11
Michigan
Assistant Coach
21-14
9-9
t-4th
NCAA, Third Round
2011-12
Michigan
Assistant Coach
24-10
13-5
t-1st
NCAA, Second Round
189-160
99-81
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