Sept. 14, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Eric W. McNelley was named to the Director of Basketball Operations post, announced by men's basketball head coach John Giannini. McNelley succeeds Harris Adler, who was promoted to Assistant Coach for the Explorers.

McNelley comes to 20th and Olney from La Salle High School in Miami, Fla., where he served as the head boys' basketball coach as well as a teacher and gymnasium supervisor. He led the La Salle HS team to an 83-33 record since 2004, including top five rankings three out of four years. He established the program as one of the top five in South Florida as named by "Rise Magazine" in the 2007-08 season. During his tenure there, he produced nine All-Dade County selections and three All-State honorees and was named the Dade County Private School Coach of the Year in 2005.

Prior to La Salle High School, McNelley served as an assistant boys' basketball coach at Felix Varela High School in Miami, Fla., from 2003 to 2004 and as a teacher, athletic director and head boys' basketball coach at Holy Cross Academy in Miami from 2001 to 2003.

McNelley boasts a 118-62 career record as a head coach and has seen 19 of his student-athletes sign college scholarships. He mentored his teams to three regional final appearances, five regional semifinal appearances and two district titles.

In 2004, McNelley founded Elite Hoops, Inc., which provides various basketball services including travel teams, camps, individual instruction and leagues. He recently served as the director of the Dade County Private School All-Star Game and as the USSSA Tournament Director for Dade County.

Says Explorer Head Coach John Giannini: "Coach McNelley has demonstrated excellent coaching and leadership skills, but more importantly he has impressed me as a great person. He brings to our staff a tremendous work ethic and continued positive chemistry on our staff. He is also well respected in South Florida, Puerto Rico and South America as he has coached numerous players from these places."