Milligan College Buffaloes: Women's Basketball

Rich Aubrey
Head Coach,
Women's Basketball

Coach Aubrey took over the women's program in 1993, bringing with him a tradition of success and continued improvement. His coaching career began at Washington College Academy in Limestone, Tenn., and continued at several other stops including Sullivan South High School in Kingsport, Tenn., before returning to his alma mater in 1993.

Since Aubrey became the head coach at Milligan, the program's accomplishments include four conference championships and three conference tournament titles. The Lady Buffs made four consecutive trips to the NAIA Division II National Tournament from 1997 - 2000. The 1996-97 and the 1998-99 teams finished 21-0 against conference opponents and produced two All-American honorees. Aubrey was named Conference Coach of the Year in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2006. Coach Aubrey was also recognized with the Champion of Character Award for NAIA Regions XII and XIII in 2006.

Aubrey earned a BA in 1985 and MEd in 1993 from Milligan, and previously served as the Director and Associate Professor of Teacher Education for the College. He also completed his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in 1998 from East Tennessee State University. Aubrey and his wife, Sheri, live in Elizabethton, Tenn., and are active at Crossroads Christian Church. They have two daughters, Erin and Amy.

Contact Coach Aubrey at raubrey@milligan.edu or 423.975.8029.

Mike Sampson
Assistant Coach,
Women's Basketball

Michael teaches English at Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee. Prior to joining Rich Aubrey at Milligan in 2007, Sampson served on both the girls' and boys' basketball staffs at Dobyns-Bennett. His junior varsity and freshmen teams compiled a 65-30 record from 2004-2007.

Sampson's coaching career started in 1986 at Brandon Hall School in Dunwoody, Georgia. At Brandon Hall, Michael was the head coach of the boys' junior varsity team. His team won 11 games and lost three that year. Michael also served as an assistant for the boys' varsity team.

While in graduate school, Michael served as an assistant coach on Bobby Snyder's staff at Daniel Boone High School. In 1995, Sampson joined Rich Aubrey at Milligan College for one season. In 1999, Michael accepted the girls' varsity basketball head coaching position at Tri-Cities Christian Schools. He also served as the assistant athletic director. Sampson's 1999-2000 Lady Eagles finished second in the conference.

Michael joined the faculty of Dobyns-Bennett at the start of the 2001-2002 academic year. Sampson believes the most important aspect of effective coaching is cultivating positive relationships with players. Sampson earned his B.S. in English and his M.A.T. at East Tennessee State University. He earned his Ed.S. at Lincoln Memorial University. Michael and his wife, Brenda, live in Gray, Tennessee, and are active members at Crossroads Christian Church. They have two wonderful children, Jennifer and Neil.

Contact Coach Sampson at 423.975.8029.