HAMMOND, Ind. – Grayling Gordon, a former Purdue University Calumet assistant coach who led Purdue North Central to its first winning men’s basketball season in 2006-07, has been appointed men’s head basketball coach at Purdue Calumet. Gordon, 40, an East Chicago native and former high school standout at EC Washington, returns to Purdue Calumet after a five-year stint at Purdue North Central. During that time, the Panthers improved from 3-26 his first season in 2002-03 to last season’s 15-14 mark.

“I am excited to return to Purdue Calumet, and I look forward to the opportunities there,” he said. “I was there when Purdue Calumet achieved a great deal of success, and I don’t think we’re very far from doing that again.”

In announcing Gordon’s appointment, Purdue Calumet Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health, Recreation and Sports/Athletic Director Robert Bunnell said, “I am really impressed with his energy and his commitment to Purdue and this campus. He knows and understands Purdue and our regional university system. I think he’s a great fit for our program at this important time in our development.”

Gordon takes over a Purdue Calumet program whose 2006-07 season ended prematurely in late December after eight players were declared academically ineligible. Subsequently, former coach Mike James and his staff resigned, and eight early season victories were forfeited. Retired, veteran local high school coach

Russ E. Marcinek took over in early February as acting coach until Gordon’s appointment.

“We appreciate Russ’ professionalism, knowledge and effort in establishing a foundation for resuming our men’s basketball program,” Purdue Calumet Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Melinda Dalgarn said. “He was the right person at the right time for responding to the difficult challenges facing our program; for that we express deep and sincere thanks to him. We now look forward to Grayling advancing Peregrines men’s basketball to a level at which we all can be proud.”

Gordon began his coaching career in 1989-90 as an assistant at his collegiate alma mater, the University of Dubuque (IA), where he earned team most valuable player and all-conference honors. He also was inducted into the Dubuque Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. From 1993-97, he served as Dubuque’s head coach before returning to northwest Indiana. Prior to his Purdue North Central appointment, he was an assistant for three seasons at Purdue Calumet under former head coach Gary Hayes.

“Purdue North Central has been a special place for me,” said Gordon, who last season led the Panthers to a 6-4 record, good for a second place tie in Division II of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. “I’ll always cherish my time there, and I’m proud of our players and what they were able to achieve.”

Gordon holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and business from Dubuque and a master’s degree in athletics administration and physical education from Slippery Rock (PA) University.