USM's Green Announces Promotion and Fills Coaching Vacancy

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (July 6) -- Southern Miss Head Basketball Coach James Green and Athletic Director Richard Giannini announced today, July 6, that current Assistant Coach Kyle Roane has been elevated to assistant head coach, and that Luster Goodwin has been hired to fill the vacancy on Coach Green's staff.

Goodwin, who comes to the Golden Eagle program after one season as an assistant at Northern Iowa, is a native of Houston, Texas who graduated from Kashmere High School where he also coached from 1992-1995.

He both played for (1982-86) and coached with (1997-98) the legendary Don Haskins at UTEP where he helped the team compile an 87-32 record in his four playing years there. He led UTEP in scoring as a sophomore (12.3) and as a senior (16.9), is still listed as UTEP's fifth all-time leading scorer with 1,323 points, and his 11.1 career scoring average rates 12th in the school's record book.

He also remains first in UTEP's record book in field goals (572), free throw percentage (.817), and is second in field goals attempted (1,206). In 119 games during his playing career opponents averaged only 60.2 points a game. Northern Iowa was 14-15 last season, but posted impressive victories over such quality opponents as Alabama, Air Force while opening the season with a quick 6-0 start.

Green feels both today's moves will continue the Golden Eagle program's movement in the right direction. "Coach Goodwin was selected from an outstanding field of applicants," Green said. "He's one of the rising young stars in the profession who one day will be a head coach. He is a proven recruiter who has quality contacts in all areas of the country at the high school, college, and AAU levels. He will be a welcome addition to our staff."

Goodwin says he looks forward to joining the Golden Eagle staff. "Southern Miss' athletic success is well known and well documented," he said. "And I look forward to joining Coach Green, his quality staff, and the solid program he has built at Southern Miss."

Green says promoting Coach Roane was a logical move. "Kyle, in his stay with us, has been involved in every aspect of our program, and he's deserving of moving into this position that will further enhance his attractiveness as a future head coach. He also is one of the bright young minds in our sport who will be successful as a head coach. Also, his loyalty to our program is unquestioned. He has declined several other positions in recent years to remain with the Golden Eagle program."

Roane this fall will be in his fifth year with the Golden Eagle program. He played at Forrest County AHS, received both bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern Miss, and coached at Pearl River Community College prior to joining the Southern Miss staff.