Conlan is stepping down so Michigan needs a new Dir of BBall Ops. Who would you like to see hired?
Here’s the release:
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's basketball director of operations Travis Conlan announced today (Tuesday, June 4) his resignation to pursue a coaching career. Conlan has been in his current position coordinating the team's operations for the past three seasons.
“My three years with the men’s basketball program have been truly special,” said Conlan. "I am appreciative of the opportunity to be a part of three NCAA Tournament teams, including this past year’s Final Four team, and a Big Ten championship squad.
"In the end, I felt this was the right time to pursue my goal of becoming a coach. I have enjoyed my time working with coach Beilein, the coaching staff, my peers on the staff, our players and the athletic department personnel. This experience has helped prepare me for this next stage in my basketball career.
“I will always watch the Wolverines with great pride just as I did as a student-athlete and alum. I look forward to hopefully returning one day as a coach.”
“We are truly grateful for the work Travis has done with the program over the last three years,” said U-M head coach John Beilein. “He was a valuable asset in so many ways and we are going to miss him. Travis was born to coach, so we naturally respect his decision. We will do whatever we can to help him pursue that dream and I am confident he will be a very successful coach one day.”
A native of St. Clair Shores, Mich., Conlan played in 124 games during his four years (1994-98) with the Wolverines. He served as team captain during his junior and senior years, leading the Wolverines in both assists and steals in each of his last three seasons. Conlan was a four-year letterman.
Conlan earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in communications in 1998. He spent 12 years as a professional basketball player throughout Europe before returning to the Wolverine program in 2010.
Conlan and his wife, Katharina, have two children, Jonas and Lani.
Conlan actually has 2 offers and a few possibilities. 1 in Europe as a General Manager of a very well known team and a chance to run the German U20 program, A Division 1 asst as a Assoc Head Coach, and a few NBA possibilities (will be later in summer). He is just deciding which one to accept. He wouldn’t leave without options.
Congrats to Travis for using his time on the staff to build his credentials for a coaching job. It’s nice to see Coach Beilein’s Michigan-related coaching tree start to develop.
Conlan actually has 2 offers and a few possibilities. 1 in Europe as a General Manager of a very well known team and a chance to run the German U20 program, A Division 1 asst as a Assoc Head Coach, and a few NBA possibilities (will be later in summer). He is just deciding which one to accept. He wouldn't leave without options.
That's interesting info that I hadn't seen before as I wondered the same thing. My take is that the timing was odd given that much of the hiring happens at the Final Four & likely hard to interview when your team is playing. Good to hear he might be ahead of the game.
A far as replacement I would take Lee moving up or Novak but my guess is the latter would be trying out the private sector if he stops playing professionally…
CJ has been working side by side with Travis and the rest of the staff for the past three years or so and has earned his stripes, so I would assume if it came down to CJ or Zack, I believe CJ has more experience to justify taking on that role. Plus, as someone else alluded to, I think Zack is looking for something in business if he stops playing hoops. But you never know what will happen.
