KELOWNA, B.C. – UBC Okanagan men's basketball head coach Clay Pottinger is excited to announce that Doug Plumb has joined the Heat Men's Basketball program as a coaching consultant for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Plumb, originally from Pitt Meadows, B.C., recently returned to B.C. after an impressive run as head coach of the Basketball Super League's (BSL) London Lightning where he won three consecutive league titles, one in the BSL and two in the now-defunct National Basketball League (NBL).
"This is an incredible opportunity for our athletes and our coaching staff," commented Pottinger on the addition to his staff. "I've known Doug for a few years and his attention to detail and coaching prowess will help to elevate our program. I'm looking forward to working with him."
"I'm excited to get immersed into the city and expand opportunities for all levels as well as work towards bringing pro basketball to Kelowna," said Plumb. "I have been coaching professionally now for eight years but something about the region here has been telling me its time to come down and lay roots and I cannot wait to work with Coach Pottinger, his staff and connect with the community leaders from grassroots to CEO's to provide as much support and networking opportunities to student-athletes as possible. Kelowna is a becoming a pipeline of talent and the city is ready to level up all levels to keep athletes here and show off the beauty of the Okanagan. It will only be a hidden gem for so much longer."
Plumb brings a wealth of both coaching and playing experience to the UBCO roster this season. The two-time NBL Coach of the Year began coaching the Lightning in 2019 and finished his career with the second-highest winning percentage in league history, winning over 81 percent of his games. Prior to joining the Lightning, he also spent time as the head coach and an assistant coach with the St. John's Edge. He has coached players such as Royce White, Xavier Moon, Carl English, Glen Davis and has proven track record of success not only at the team level but elevating players and advancing their international careers.
As a player, Plumb spent time at both UFV and UBC. In his one full season with the Cascades in 2007-08, after returning to Canada after a season with Minnesota State in NCAA Division II, Plumb led the Canada West in scoring, averaging 17.9 points per game. After transferring to the Thunderbirds for the final three seasons of his university career, he would go on to be named a Canada West First Team All-Star and CIS Second Team All-Canadian in 2012-13 after leading UBC to their 10th Canada West Championship. He later went on to play multiple seasons in European overseas top divisions. He has spent time working with NBA players in the off-season such as Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell, as well as thousands of youth across the country via GRIT Performance Athletics. Prior to getting into coaching he worked as an account manager for Victory Creative Group and worked on the marketing side with brands such as the NBA, Nike and Jordan and has led brand activations and worked on strategy across a plethora of others reputable brands.
Off the court, Plumb and his brother Colin Plumb (former UBCO player) founded and launched Project GRIT in partnership with the BC Parkinsons Society in 2019 which quickly because the largest third party fundraiser for Parkinsons research in the province.
In his role with the Heat, Plumb will work as a strategic advisor to Coach Pottinger in a consultant role and will be helping with fundraising, alumni engagement and community relations. While in Kelowna, Plumb will also be working to grow and expand the reach of the Junior Heat program to increase opportunity for the greater Kelowna youth to have access to high level training and education.
