USC Upstate’s men’s basketball program is set to welcome a new face to its coaching bench as Riley McGillan joins head coach Marty Richter for the 2026‑27 season. The announcement comes as the Spartans look to build on a period of steady improvement that has seen the team post a seven‑game win increase and record double‑digit home victories for the first time since the 2022‑23 campaign.
A Proven Developer of Talent
McGillan arrives after a stint at Belmont Abbey College where he helped the Crusaders quadruple their win total during his second season. Under his guidance the program posted a dramatic turnaround, highlighted by a school‑record defensive performance that limited opponents to the lowest three‑point field goal percentage in the conference.
Prior to Belmont Abbey, McGillan spent three seasons at Lenoir‑Rhyne, where the Bears increased their win total each year of his tenure. His work as defensive coordinator contributed to a historic defensive milestone that underscored his ability to shape competitive units.
His coaching journey also includes a role as director of operations at Longwood, where he helped the Lancers achieve their highest conference finish and set a program record for Big South victories in Division I history. McGillan’s roots run deep in the Carolinas, where he honed his craft while completing a degree at Clemson.
During six seasons with the Tigers, he served in multiple capacities — from manager to graduate assistant — and was part of a 25‑win season that culminated in a Sweet 16 appearance in 2017‑18. The experience left him with a keen understanding of high‑level basketball culture and expectations.
Head coach Marty Richter praised the new addition, describing McGillan as a "great basketball mind" and a "rising star" whose energy will help the program take the next step in its third season under his leadership. Richter emphasized that McGillan’s blend of analytical insight and player development will be pivotal as the Spartans aim to sustain momentum.
The hiring reflects a strategic move to reinforce a staff that has already begun to reshape the program’s trajectory. With McGillan’s proven ability to elevate talent and foster growth, the Spartans enter the upcoming season with renewed optimism and a clear vision for continued progress.