COLUMBUS, Miss. – Dean Burrows, The W men's basketball head coach, will take on the duties of interim assistant athletics director for the 2025-26 year, Director of Athletics Buddy Foster has announced. Burrows will, concurrently, continue leading the Owls' men's basketball program, entering his fifth campaign, as well.

"I believe that Dean will be a tremendous asset in continuing the upward trajectory of The W Athletics," Foster said. "He is very well-known in the community, has a passion for the success of our student-athletes, has a track record of working with campus constituents, and brings an enthusiastic and creative approach to the job."

Burrows will serve as the primary point person for much of the Owls' athletics fundraising and donor cultivation efforts. Burrows will also assist Foster with departmental needs, such as scheduling, travel, budgets, gameday operations, and marketing strategies, to name a few.

Burrows came to The W in September 2021 as the University's second-ever head men's basketball coach, after the departure of Brian Merkel. For his additional duties, Burrows again succeeds Merkel, who had returned to the Owls as the assistant athletics director for 2024-25, before departing for a new career opportunity.

On the court, 2024-25 proved to be a historic campaign for Burrows' hoops squad, as The W not only set a school record for victories (12-14), but also reached its first St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) post-season tournament. Dariun Doss was a second-team All-SLIAC and SLIAC All-Defensive Team selection, with teammate Eric Bass Jr. named the top 6th Man Award winner, and with Josh Dukes a SLIAC All-Academic pick for the second-straight year. Additionally, the Owls' team was recognized, both nationally and locally, for its commitment to community service with a feature on the NCAA III website and receiving the MUW campus' award for its many collaborative efforts and more than 400 community service hours. The Owls were awarded the Team Academic award from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)., with seven individuals also cited on the NABC's Honors Court for their classroom success. 

Burrows and his wife Stefanie, have four children: Isabella, Jaelynn, Trey, and Avery.