Southern State Community College has a new men's basketball coach. Travis McAvene, who has coached at several area college and high schools, has been hired as the Patriots new coach.

Most recently, he was named U.S. Minor League Coach of the Year. In 2011-12, he coached his Cincinnati Slam team to a (19-1) record and won the Eastern Conference Championship.

McAvene coached Westfall High School to an SVC co-championship in 2008 and also coached Wilberforce University among others.