| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 10, 1943 |
| Playing career | |
| 1961–1965 | Indiana State (PA) |
| Position(s) | Guard |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1970–1973 | Slippery Rock |
| 1973–1977 | Roanoke |
| 1977–1983 | Delta State |
| 1985–1987 | Samford |
| 1988–1993 | The Master's |
| 1993–1998 | West Virginia (assistant) |
| 1998–2002 | Liberty |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 361–353 |
| Tournaments | 3–2 (NAIA) 1–1 (NCAA Division II) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| Mason–Dixon (1974) PSAC Western Division (1972) | |
Mel Hankinson (born January 10, 1943) is an American former basketball coach and author. He served as the head men's basketball coach at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (1970–1973), Roanoke College (1973–1977), Delta State University (1977–1983), Samford University (1985–1987), The Master's College—now known as The Master's University (1988–1993), and Liberty University (1998–2002). Hankinson has written a number of books and starred in videos on techniques for coaching basketball.
Hankinson spent over three decades coaching at the collegiate level. He came to his highest profile position as head coach on April 8, 1998 at Liberty University after three years as the top assistant at West Virginia University.[1]
Hankinson began his collegiate career as a head coach at Slippery Rock University, where he spent three seasons highlighted by capturing the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division title in 1972. For that season he was named NAIA District 18 Coach of the Year.[2] Then the following year, Hankinson led the Rockets to the NAIA National Semifinals where the school recorded a fourth-place finish. He holds a master's degree from Indiana State University[3]