BASKETBALL
Hurricanes' Basketball Coaches
Head Coach Mark Vanderslice:
Mark Vanderslice took over the reins of the Louisburg College men’s basketball program in August of 2010. In his first year at the helm, Vanderslice received Region 10 and District 15 Coach of the Year honors while guiding the Hurricanes to a school record for wins (32-3, 21-0) and leading Louisburg to a NJCAA National Tournament Elite Eight appearance. Under Vanderslice’s tutelage, the 2011 class produced seven sophomores receiving full scholarships at either a NCAA Division I or II institution. He developed 3 All-Conference players and a first-team All American and Region 10 Player of the Year, Jeremy Atkinson.
Known as a relentless recruiter, teacher, and strong defensive minded coach he looks to continue the success and tradition that Louisburg has come to enjoy. “I’m extremely excited about the upcoming season. I look forward to building the program to even higher heights and invite the prospect of new challenges that await me.” Vanderslice said. “Louisburg has set a standard of excellence not only on the basketball court but at the college and in the community as well. I’m very fortunate to be able to be a part of an institution that places high regards to integrity and strong values.”
Vanderslice brings a wealth of knowledge to Louisburg from his 11 years of men’s basketball college coaching experience and 8 seasons at the Division I level. Throughout his coaching tenure at these schools Vanderslice has had the privilege of developing and training a number of players to the professional ranks.
His most recent stop comes from Furman University, a Division I school out of the Southern Conference in Greenville S.C. There he served as an assistant coach for two years.
Prior to joining the Furman staff, he spent 4 seasons with the University of Toledo under head Coach Stan Joplin. While there, he worked as an assistant coach for two years with the Rockets men’s basketball program after previously spending two years as the team’s Director of Basketball Operations. In that role, he was instrumental in helping the Rockets have one of its most successful campaigns in school history. During the 2006-07 season, as an assistant, he helped guide the Rockets to their first Mid-American Conference regular season title in 27 years with a 14-2 conference record and a trip to the National Invitation Tournament.
Prior to his stint at Toledo, Vanderslice served as an assistant under head coach Duane Sheldon at NCAA III Heidelberg College, where he received his master’s degree in business administration. He played his college basketball at UNC Asheville for Coach Eddie Biedenbach before serving as an administrative assistant for the Bulldogs. The Salisbury, N.C. native and UNC Asheville graduate earned all conference and all-county honors as a prep standout at West Rowan High School where he helped the Falcons capture the 1997 North Carolina state championship as a senior.
Assistant Coach Brandon Rosser:
Brandon Rosser enters his first year as the assistant men’s basketball coach and head JV coach here at Louisburg College. Rosser will assist in all areas of the basketball program primarily recruiting the state of Virginia, post development, strength program, monitor study hall and daily basketball operations assigned by the head coach. “I’m extremely honored and thankful for the opportunity to work alongside Coach Vanderslice here at Louisburg. Both the school and basketball program have long, outstanding histories and I am very fortunate to be part of it.”
Prior to coming to Louisburg, Coach Rosser was at NCAA Division II North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC. While at North Greenville, he completed his master’s degree in Business Administration. Coach Rosser spent three seasons working with the men’s basketball program as an assistant coach and strength and conditioning coordinator. North Greenville’s win totaled improved each season and concluded with a 22-7 record this past season. While at North Greenville, Rosser helped coach two All-Conference and All-American’s on the court and had three student-athletes earn the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court. This award was given to student-athletes who earned a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Before joining the staff at North Greenville, Rosser spent two years at his alma mater Bluefield College. While at Bluefield he fulfilled numerous roles. Rosser was an assistant with the men’s and women’s basketball programs, head JV basketball coach and head golf coach. Bluefield’s men’s team amassed 47 wins over a two year span and produced eight All-Conference players and two All-Americans.
Rosser is a native of Forest, Va., where he prepped at Jefferson Forest High School. He graduated from Bluefield College with a degree in Exercise Science/Sports Management in 2006. He will reside in Louisburg, NC.
Assistant Coach Barry Whitaker:
Assistant Coach BarryWhitaker returns for his 18th season on the Hurricanes’ sideline. In recent years, Whitaker has gone from being the youngest member of the Louisburg coaching staff to his current position as the ‘elder statesman’ of the staff. Whitaker brings an incredible amount of experience with some of the most successful coaches in North Carolina history.
Whitaker began his basketball tutelage under the legendary Larry Lindsay who coached Youngsville High School and Wake Forest-Rolesville High to eight State Championships. Next, Whitaker worked at Pfeiffer under now Iowa State Assistant coach Bobby Lutz.Whitaker then transitioned to Louisburg College where he spent 13 seasons assisting the legendary J. Enid Drake who compiled over 600 wins in 41 years at Louisburg. Whitaker Received A Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Pfeiffer University
Whitaker’s duties are essential in the everyday operation of the program but especially in team travel and game day operations. His expertise proves invaluable to the Hurricanes program.
Former Coach J. Enid Drake:
From a small town in Nash County just minutes from the Franklin County line, Enid Drake was born and raised in Castalia, N.C. After graduating from Castalia High School Enid, went on to receive an Associate degree from Campbell Junior College ( Campbell University) where he played basketball and baseball. With having a stellar athletic career at the Juco level, Enid then continued his academic career at Wake Forest University. He received his Bachelor’s degree and then went on to obtain his Masters at East Carolina University. In 1954, Enid had his first job at Middlesex High School where he taught and coached basketball and baseball for 11 years. With the experience and winning records under his belt, in 1965 Drake then took on the head coaching title of the men’s basketball team at Louisburg College, Louisburg, NC.
Not only did Drake teach his own philosophies on the court, but he did so in the classroom as well. Over 41 years, Drake complied a winning percentage of roughly 60% with a career record of 712-569. During his stint he has had eight All-Americans and five Academic All-Americans with a graduation percentage around 92%. He has coached three teams, which became Region X Champions and four that were Region X Runner-Ups. Out of the 41 years as head coach, Drake has made 31 appearances at the Region X Tournament and won one District Championship. He has also had the honor of being chosen Region X Coach of the Year three times and was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 2001. Coach Drake retired after 35 years of teaching physical education classes at Louisburg College.
- Men’s Basketball Coach
- Career Record: 694-569 (41 seasons)
- NJCAA Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame
- 3 Region X Championships
For more information, contact:
Head Coach Mark Vanderslice
919.497.3214
mvanderslice@louisburg.edu
