Mike Burris arrived at Perry Meridian this summer with a clear mission: to reshape a program that has managed only 20 victories over the past four seasons.
A New Era for Falcons Basketball
The Falcons finished the most recent campaign at 6‑16, but a late‑season surge hinted at progress under former coach Mark McFarland, who guided the team to three straight wins before stepping down.
Burris brings more than two decades of collegiate experience, having compiled 252 wins at Olney Central College and guiding 68 players to Division I and II scholarships.
His most recent stops at UIndy and IU Indy produced back‑to‑back Great Lakes Valley Conference titles in 2023 and 2024, underscoring his ability to build consistent winners.
The new coach says the focus will be on daily winning habits, discipline and leveraging the talent pipeline that includes returning scorers Jaden Porter and Davonte Rhodes, as well as a promising freshman class.
With only two of last year’s top eight scorers graduating, the roster retains much of its firepower, and Burris is optimistic that the momentum can be sustained.
Community leaders hope the hire will mark the first winning season since 2020‑21, a year when the Falcons posted a 12‑9 record and Jaden Taylor earned Indiana All‑Star honors.