A familiar face is returning to the UBC Thunderbirds men’s basketball program with the announcement that former All-Canadian and Canada West MVP Casey Archibald has been hired as the team’s full-time assistant coach. He replaces Randy Nohr who stepped down in April to pursue a career in his family’s business.
“We are extremely excited to be adding Casey to our coaching staff. He was an integral part of the program’s success throughout the five years that he played for us. He was very successful both in the classroom and on the court and he will be a great mentor for our players,” said UBC head coach Kevin Hanson.
“Casey won the Bobby Gaul Award, he has played in the CIS National Championships, he has been an All-Canadian, he has played professionally, and has been a loyal alum. He will once again be a huge asset to the men’s basketball program, only this time it will be from the coaching side,” added Hanson.
Archibald, who played five seasons with the Thunderbirds from 2002-03 until 2006-07, ranks second all-time in UBC scoring behind J.D. Jackson with 3,024 points. A two-time first-team All-Canadian and Canada West MVP (’06, ’07), Archibald was honoured as a Canada West all-star in each of his five seasons at UBC.
A key figure in the development of the UBC program as a national power, Archibald helped UBC to four appearances at the CIS Final 8, two Canada West titles (2003, ’07), and four Pacific Division crowns (2003, ’04, ’06, ’07).
During his final two years at UBC, the T-Birds were a combined 60-12 overall including a perfect 20-0 during the 2005-06 Canada West regular season.
Following his standout UBC career, Archibald played four seasons in Europe. He began his career with Wels (Austria) in the Bundesliga in 2007. He went on to average 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game during the 2008-09 season, his second with the team, as they claimed the Austrian Championship for the first in club history.
He then suited up with Nordlingen (German “A” league) for one year before playing his year with TTU/Kalev (Baltic League).
“I had a great time overseas, and played with and against a lot of great players, but this opportunity to come back to my alma mater and work with the program and coach Hanson was something that I was looking forward to since I graduated in 2007,” said Archibald.
“It’s one of the best programs in the country and it’s an honour for me to come on-board. The program has been very successful and I hope to help it move forward and continue to win ball games.”
