Bio

Veteran basketball coach Carlos Briggs returned to the Highlanders’ program in 2019 as a volunteer assistant coach after spending the previous two years as an assistant coach at Florida A&M University.

In 2023, the Highlanders earned an 11-3 conference record, finishing in second place in the NTJCAC standing to earn the program’s 21st consecutive Region V Tournament appearance. The team finished the season with an overall record of 24-7.

Briggs is no stranger to collegiate coaching, having coached for more than 24 years. Prior to his time at FAMU, he spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach for McLennan. In his time with the team, the Highlanders claimed back-to-back conference championships and an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament. Those teams included an NJCAA All-American and two NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete honorees.

Prior to McLennan, Briggs served as an assistant coach at Trinity Valley Community College, helping lead the Cardinals to a conference championship and an appearance in the NJCAA Sweet Sixteen.

Briggs worked as an assistant coach at the University of Detroit-Mercy from 2007-12. During his time at UDM, he helped build the program and secure berths in the NCAA and NIT tournaments.

Prior to his years at UDM, Briggs served as the head coach of Schoolcraft College from 1997-2006. During his nine-year tenure, he established the Ocelots into one of the best junior college programs in the country, compiling a 249-39 record. In 2000-01, he led Schoolcraft to a 36-1 mark, including a 35-game winning streak and the program’s first-ever appearance in the NJCAA Division I Final Four. He was named the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Coach of the Year in 2002 and was a three-time conference, district and regional Coach of the Year, as well as a five-time state Coach of the Year. He coached seven All-Americans, 27 all-region players, 14 all-state players and 23 all-conference selections. His program was known throughout the country by NCAA coaches as Schoolcraft produced 45 Division I signees.

Before taking the coaching job at Schoolcraft, Briggs spent two seasons as an assistant boys’ basketball coach at Waxahachie (1995-96) and Cedar Hill (1996-97) High Schools.

Briggs attended St. Benedictine High School in Detroit. He went on to play for Schoolcraft for two years before signing with Baylor University. At Schoolcraft, he became one of the top offensive players in NJCAA history – his 1,952 career points is eighth overall, and his 60 points in a game ranks 11th.

At Baylor, Briggs led the Bears with a 20.4 points-per-game average in 1984-85 and earned Southwest Conference All-Newcomer Team honors. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1986 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs and played professionally in the CBA, the World Basketball League and the Philippine Basketball Association.

He received his bachelor’s degree in education from Baylor in 1993.

Coaching experience
2019-present: Volunteer assistant coach, McLennan Community College
2017-19: Assistant coach, Florida A&M University
2015-17: Volunteer assistant coach, McLennan Community College
2014-15: Assistant coach, Trinity Valley Community College
2007-12: Assistant coach, University of Detroit-Mercy
1997-2006: Head coach, Schoolcraft College
1996-97: Assistant coach, Cedar Hill High School
1995-96: Assistant coach, Waxahachie High School

Playing experience
1989: Añjeo Rum 65, PBA
1989: Youngstown Pride, WBL
1988-89: Rockford Lightning, CBA
1984-85: Baylor University
1982-84: Schoolcraft College 

Education
1993: Bachelor’s in education, Baylor University