Ed McLean

Coach Ed McLean
April 4, 1936 - April 27, 2011
Wake Forest
Coach Ed McLean, longtime teacher, coach and mentor passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at his home in Wake Forest, N.C. on April 27, 2011. Ed was born April 4, 1936 in Asheville, NC to Nathan and Alma McLean. Ed grew up in West Asheville where he attended Sandhill High School and excelled in football, basketball and baseball. During this same time Ed was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America.
Ed was a graduate of Western Carolina University where he played football, basketball and baseball. He received his B.S. degree in Physical Education in 1961 and was named the Outstanding Physical Education graduate. Prior to graduation, Ed served 2 years in the Marine Corps. While at Western he married Lois June Smith of West Asheville. Lois was an avid supporter of all players and teams until her death in 1979.
Ed began his teaching and coaching career right of out of college at Rohanen High in Richmond County. In 1964 his career took him to Needham Broughton High School. During his time there he taught, coached track, cross country, football, basketball and served as Athletic Director. He coached "Pistol" Pete Maravich and was named Coach of the East in the East-West All Star Basketball game in 1973. Coach McLean is a member of the Broughton Hall of Fame.
Ed left Broughton in 1982 to become an assistant coach at North Carolina State University, under Jim Valvano. During his time with the Wolfpack, they won 2 ACC Titles and 1 NCAA Championship. He remained a supporter of Wolfpack basketball until his death.
In 1987, Ed was named head basketball coach at Samford University in Birmingham, AL.
The Global Basketball Association was formed in 1992 where Ed became the inaugural Head Coach, and Director of Basketball Operations, for the Greensboro Gaters.
1995 – 2000 Ed coached at Sanderson High School in Raleigh, N.C., while teaching at Pleasant Union Elementary.
2000 – 2004 Ed became assistant basketball coach at North Carolina Central University under former player Phil Spence where they reached the finals of the CIAA tournament.
With his retirement from Pleasant Union Elementary School in 2009, Ed had taught and coached for 48 years. The Wake County Public School System recently named the gym at Pleasant Union in his honor. Retirement allotted Ed opportunity to donate time to animal rescue groups, specifically, Snowflake Animal Rescue in Raleigh, N.C. Ed also assisted his son at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County.
Ed also continued his work scouting basketball prospects with Maverick Sports, which placed players within various professional leagues around the world.
Ed is survived by two loving sons, Edward C. McLean Jr. of Raleigh and Hugh McLean of Wake Forest; treasured grandchildren, Chase, Morgan, Victoria F., Edward C. III, Justin T., Bryntly J., Savanah R., Travis I., Katrina M. McLean and Alexandra C. Crawford and daughter-in-law, Kim McLean.
A Memorial Service will be held at First Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC on May 7, 2011 at 11am. First Baptist Church is located at 99 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Phone: (919) 832-4485.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the following: Snowflake Animal Rescue, 6716 Miles Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27615 www.snowflake
rescue.org or Broughton High School Faculty Alumni Scholarship, Broughton High School, c/o Faculty Alumni Association, 723 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27605.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
www.brightfunerals.com