Springfield College

Michael McClendon enters his fifth season as the head men's basketball coach and assistant professor of physical education at Springfield College during the 2026-27 academic year.

In the past two seasons with the Pride, McClendon has led the team to back-to-back NEWMAC Tournament appearances, including the program's first appearance since 2019-20. He has helped his student-athletes to seven CSC Academic All-District Team recognitions, along with 21 NABC Honors Court selections and three NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards. 

McClendon comes to Springfield College after spending two years as the head men's basketball coach at Middlesex County Community College. 

Prior to his time at Middlesex County, McClendon spent four years at the NCAA Division III level as the head junior varsity coach and head varsity assistant coach at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. He also spent time as an assistant coach at Felician College coaching in the NCAA Division II ranks, as well as at Raritan Valley Community, St. Paul's Prep, and Absegami High School.  Additionally, McClendon has also been the co-director of the AAU program, Pure Basketball.

A native of New Jersey, McClendon played two seasons at both Atlantic Cape College and Wesley College. He went on to earn his Bachelor's from Caldwell College and later completed his Masters in Athletic Administration and Coaching from Concordia University-Irvine. 

McClendon will take over a Springfield College men's basketball program that has a deep and storied tradition. For a program that dates back to 1905, McClendon is just the 15th head men's basketball coach at the Birthplace of Basketball and only the fifth since 1966.