The introduction of new head coach Misty Wilson to the women’s basketball program led to a lot of changes in personnel for the 2023-2024 season, including the addition of Lyndon Plett.
Plett decided to join the men’s basketball program as a volunteer coach after leaving the women’s program at the end of last season. He coached the women’s team for seven seasons.
Unsure of what the future would hold for him, Plett contacted head coach Jeff Culver during the summer.
“[I] informed him that I would be open to helping with the men’s team on a voluntary basis if he needed any additional assistance. After meeting together with Coach Culver and his new assistant, [associate head coach] Vo, they opened the door for me to be involved in the team,” Plett said.
Plett said his role with the men’s team allows him to work with the players individually and focus on how they contribute to the team.
“As a volunteer, I don’t have the responsibilities of a full-time coach, so Coach Culver has given me a great deal of freedom to help in any way that I can. I try to attend practices as often as I can, help with drills and provide suggestions to players on a more individual basis. I have also been involved with scouting opponents and evaluating our players’ performance efficiency,” he said
Plett said his past coaching experience helps him work with and give guidance to the younger team personnel. “After coaching for so many years, I also try to provide some mentoring and advising to the younger coaches on staff,” he said.
The men’s basketball team is well over halfway through their season, and Plett said the coaching staff established some collective goals they hope to achieve by the end of it.
“I feel that the coaching staff is a very unified group who are very focused on developing the players to be as successful as they can be both on and off the court. The team has experienced a great number of injuries this season, and so it has been very important to focus on overcoming adversity and maintaining a unified and positive approach [to the remainder of the season],” Plett said.
Plett said he is grateful that he can continue coaching and for this new role with the men’s program.
“When one door closes, God always opens another one to walk through. I am enjoying this opportunity to stay in coaching for a little longer.”
Lyndon Plett. Photo via GoMountainLions.com.