Pittsburg State University head women’s basketball coach Amanda Davied announced the hiring of Caleb Poston and Mikaela Burgess to complete the Gorillas’ coaching staff for the 2021-22 season.
Poston comes to Pitt State after serving the past two years as an assistant director of video at the University of Maryland where he handled all film breakdown for advanced scouting and player development. As a member of the Terps coaching staff he is a two time Big 10 regular season and conference tournament champion, having reached the Sweet 16 in 2021.
Prior to his stop in College Park, Poston was an assistant coach at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Ga. While with Covenant, Poston also served as the junior varsity head, helping guide the squad to a program record for points scored in a game three times throughout the season.
To start his career, Poston was a graduate assistant video coordinator for the Xavier University women’s basketball team.
“Caleb has been involved in programs at all levels and has played many different roles early in his career,” Davied said. “This will lend well to our staff and players. He brings energy as well as an ‘all in’ approach to any task he’s given. I know he will make a positive impact on our program and the Pittsburg State community. We are excited to have Caleb joining Gorilla Nation!”
Burgess returns to campus to serve as a graduate assistant coach after serving as owner and operator of The Plaid Giraffe Preschool in her hometown of Webb City, Mo.
Burgess scored 1,856 points and made 333 3-point field goals in 128 career games for the Gorillas between 2015-18, earning first-team All-MIAA and NCAA Division II All-America honors in each of her final three seasons.
She helped the Gorillas to three trips to the NCAA Division II National Tournament, including an NCAA-II Elite Eight appearance in 2016. Pitt State compiled a 104-26 (.800) record during her four-year playing career.
Burgess also has served as an assistant coach for the girls’ basketball team at Carl Junction (Mo.) High School.
“Of course, I am thrilled to have one of our own on staff!” Davied said. “I’m positive her insight will be a great asset to our current players as well as recruits. I know I’m looking forward to having her presence back in the gym, in our program, and in our community. Mikaela represents a great era of women’s basketball at Pitt State, and we are excited to have her on board for more.”
