Episode 367: Coach Bruce Slatten (Building a Basketball Program) Executive Director of the BCAT

Coach Slatten started his career as a Graduate Assistant at Tennessee Tech University in 1989 where he was in charge of player development, scouting, and strength and conditioning. While there he worked with future NBA draft picks Milos Babic of the Cleveland Cavaliers and John Best of the then New Jersey Nets. Coach Slatten coached 23 years as a head coach with a record of 512-234. He guided 4 different schools, Perry County, Cleveland, Culleoka, and Moore County that appeared in 13 district championship games, winning 11 district championships. They also appeared in 10 region championship games, winning 6. His teams reached the Sectional/Sweet Sixteen level 10 times and reaching the state tournament Elite Eight 5 times and the state final four 3 times. He led Perry County to the State tournament Elite Eight in 1994, 95, 96, 97. The 1995 team lead the state in scoring averaging 86.2 ppg. In 1996 his Perry County team finished a State Runner-up with a 30-3 record and in 1997 they finished 37-0, which included winning the State Championship. He led Cleveland to the 1999 Sub-state (Sweet 16) with a 22-10 record. His 2007 Culleoka team reached the State Tournament for the 1st time in school history advancing to the Final 4 with a 31-7 record. The 2008 Culleoka team also reached the Sectional/Sweet 16 round. His 2009 team finished 30-2 and lead the state in scoring defense at 36.1 ppg.