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COLUMBIA -- Cougar men's basketball assistant coach Sean Dooley has been appointed the new head men's basketball coach at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas.

"Today is definitely a bitter sweet day for me and my family," said Dooley. "I'm extremely excited about my opportunity to be a Head Coach at a great institution like Baker University, but also sad to be leaving such a special place here at Columbia College."

In 2007 Columbia College and the Cougar Athletic Department welcomed Sean Dooley back to Columbia College in the role of assistant men's basketball coach. Sean earned a degree in Business Administration from Columbia College in 2002. He was a member of the Cougar basketball team in 2000-01 and 2001-02 and was a two-time first-team All-Conference and Academic All-Conference recipient. In 2002 he was named the Columbia College Male Athlete of the Year by his peers. Prior to Columbia, Dooley attended Penn Valley Community College for two years where he was named to the All-Region team.

After graduation from Columbia College Dooley worked for two years as a graduate assistant in the athletic department at the University of Missouri-Kansas City while completing a Master's in Sports and Fitness Management. Prior to returning to Columbia Dooley, a native of Kansas City, was the assistant coach for the men's basketball team at William Jewell (Mo.) College.

"We are very excited that Sean has been named the Head Coach at Baker University," stated athletic director and head men's basketball coach Bob Burchard. "Sean is one of the brightest and best young coaches in the country. He has made an amazing impact on our program over the past five years and been a great role model and mentor to our student-athletes. We will certainly miss Sean, Nikki, and the kids, as part of our Columbia Cougar family but we also rejoice in this new opportunity for him to lead the Baker University basketball program."

"I would like to thank all of the administration, coaches, fans and student-athletes both current and former for their hard work and support over the last five years," says Dooley I would especially like to thank my dear friend, mentor and coach Bob Burchard. Without his guidance, confidence, and support there is no way I would be where I am today both professionally and personally. It is my goal to build a program like Coach Burchard has at Columbia and to have the impact he has made on me and countless others."

"Sean is a great fit to lead our program," Baker Athletic Director Teresa Yetmar said. "His work ethic, values and passion for mentoring student-athletes naturally align with our mission. Sean has provided strong leadership for winning NAIA programs and we expect our men's basketball program to consistently compete at a championship level."

Sean, his wife Nicole and their children Jackson, Joey and Jordyn will make the transition immediately. Dooley was selected after a nationwide search and will be the 26th head coach of the Wildcats. He replaces Brett Ballard, who resigned last month to take an assistant coaching position at the University of Tulsa.

An open public reception for coach Dooley will be held on May 4 in the Collins Gymnasium Hall of Fame Rotunda at 4 p.m.

"Thanks again all Cougar fans and I look forward to the next opportunity to join you in the crowd and help cheer Columbia College to another victory. WE ARE.....CC!"