McMillan served two seasons as an assistant at Middle Tennessee, helping the Blue Raiders to a 50-15 record and two consecutive Sun Belt Tournament championships. Middle Tennessee set a school-record for wins with a 30-4 record in 2006-07; posted 27 consecutive victories this season, at the time, the nation's longest winning streak; set a single-game attendance mark with 10,010 in the season-opener against Maryland; and posted undefeated marks of 18-0 in the regular season and 21-0 against all Sun Belt competition.

McMillan and his wife Paige have two sons, seven-year-old Matt and four-year-old Ben. Prior to his coaching stint at Middle Tennessee, McMillan spent 15 years coaching girls basketball in west Tennessee and will taking over the program at his wife's alma mater.

"This is a home run for me and my family," McMillan. "We loved our time at Middle Tennessee and had great success, but this was an opportunity to be closer to family and also a chance for me to be a head coach again."

McMillan spent eight years as the head girls coach at Westview High School in Martin, Tenn., from 1998-05, compiling a record of 195-67 and reaching the state tournament in 2001, 2003 and 2005. From 1991-97, he was the head coach at Millington High School in Millington, Tenn., amassing a record of 177-47 and leading his team to the state tournament quarterfinals in 1994. Overall, McMillan has an overall record of 372-114 as a head girls basketball coach and was named the Jackson Sun Coach of the Year in 2003.

Under his coaching leadership, 21 players have gone on to play basketball at the collegiate level. One of McMillan's former players, Natalie Sneed, played at Middle Tennessee from 1995-98.

"Kevin did a fantastic job for us at Middle Tennessee and he was a big part of our great success the last two seasons," head coach Rick Insell said. "We wish him all the best in his new position and with all of his future endeavors."

McMillan played basketball at Wake Forest for one season, 1985, before transferring to Rhodes College in Memphis to finish out his career from 1986-89. An All-Conference performer in 1988-89 and team MVP in 1988, he received his bachelor's in math and business in 1989 from Rhodes.

GIVENS CUT BY PHOENIX MERCURY: Former Middle Tennessee All-American Chrissy Givens was cut this week by the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury in the team's final cut before beginning regular season play this weekend.

Givens said a lot of positives came out of her WNBA training camp experience.

"It was a tremendous experience," Givens said. "(Mercury general manager) Ann Meyers (Drysdale) told me she hated to cut me, but it was basically a numbers game. They had a lot of guards and they kept their veterans. I made it to the last cut and a lot of people got to see me play, which is only going to help me."

Givens, who won Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and tournament MVP honors the past two seasons, was a third-round pick of the Mercury. "It was a blast. There was nothing different I could have done. I played hard like I always do and Ann Meyers (Drysdale) told me that," Givens said. "It's just one of those things. I gave it my best shot and we'll see what happens now."

Givens said she planned to discuss future opportunities with her agent.

"There is an offer out there that I'm going to discuss with my agent," Givens said. "I'm going to come back to Murfreesboro. I'm going to stay in shape and hopefully I'll go overseas in October."

Givens averaged more than 22 points and six rebounds last season and she also led the Lady Raiders in assists (4.5) and steals (3.0).

SALLY BELL NAMED SUN BELT COORDINATOR OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL OFFICIALS: Well respected and distinguished NCAA women's basketball official Sally Bell has been named the Sun Belt Conference's Coordinator of Women's Basketball Officials, Commissioner Wright Waters announced this week. Bell will be responsible for the assignment of officials for all Sun Belt home basketball games along with overseeing and monitoring each official.

"I am thrilled to be a part of the Sun Belt Conference," Bell said. "After 34 years of officiating, this is my vision for the rest of my basketball career. This is a great opportunity for me to be able to mentor and train officials through the resources and support of the Sun Belt Conference. Our goal will be to offer outstanding officiating services to the student athletes, coaches, administrators and fans. I can't wait to get started."

Bell, who received the 1991 Naismith Award as recognition for being the Women's Basketball Official of the Year, includes among the events she has officiated 15 Final Fours and the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. She also served as a member on the U.S. Olympic Selection Committee for officials from 1996-2004.

"We are honored to have someone of Sally Bell's stature as our Coordinator of Women's Basketball Officials," Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Wright Waters said. "She has officiated 15 Final Fours, and also has extensive international experience by serving as a member of the United States Olympic Selection Committee from 1996-2004 in addition to officiating the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and numerous other prominent international events. I can't imagine anyone in the country who is more respected and has a better officiating resume than she does.

"Our women's basketball had a final conference RPI of eight in 2007, the conference's best finish since also posting an eight in 2001, and we also placed two teams in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001. Last season's success coupled with the addition of Sally elevates our women's basketball to its highest position in several years and gives us many reasons to anticipate great things for this upcoming season and beyond."

Bell was born in Dublin, Georgia and received a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in 1975 and a master's degree from North Georgia College in 1981. She began officiating high school basketball in 1975, moved on to NAIA and NJCAA games in 1979, and first officiated Division I and II games in 1981. She worked her first Final 4 in 1989 and worked every Final 4 from 1993-2005. Her international officiating experiences also include the 2000 Olympic Exhibition in Honolulu, Hawaii; 1994 Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, Russia; 1993 World University Games in Buffalo, New York; and 1990 World Championships in Malaysia.

Bell and her husband, Jack, reside in Dahlonega, Georgia.

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