Getting to the NCAA D1 level is not a dream only shared by many young Canadian basketball players across the country.

Meet 26-yr old Mark Lane, native of Hamilton, Ontario and the newly appointed assistant coach of the Cape Fear Community College Sea Devils. Following his playing days at Minot State University, Lane continued his playing career overseas with stops in England and then Denmark where he won a gold medal and was selected to the All-Bosman team. Upon finishing up his playing career in Europe, Lane came back to Canada where he quickly caught the coaching bug. His first coaching stint came with the men's basketball squad at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario in the 06-07 season. Last year he headed south to D2 Iowa Central CC in Fort Dodge, IA where he served as an assistant coach. The latest maneuver in his journey takes him to Michael Jordan's hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina where he'll work the sidelines alongside Sea Devil Head Coach Ryan Mantlo this upcoming season. For Lane, the new job is considered a step up on the coaching hierarchy as at Cape Fear, players receive full-rides including living expenses whereas at D2 Iowa Central, players receive only tuition and book fees.

How long do you see yourself coaching for?

I see myself coaching as long as I can. I want to make it my career job.

What are your short-term goals?

My short term goal is to be a head coach by the time I'm 30 at the college/university level. If it happens before that even better, but we'll see...have to put my time in first.

What are your long-term goals?

My long term goal would have to be a coach at the Division 1 level...that's a big time level.

How was your time down in Iowa with your first coaching job?

My time in Iowa was a great experience, I was working under a coach that has 30 + years of coaching experience, so I learned a lot. I had a good role on the team and also put a few plays in myself....One play was called Canada. The school and people were great...I had a good time both on and off the court.

What attracted you to Cape Fear CC?

What attracted me to Cape Fear was the role I am going to have. It's a Division 1 Junior College and location. It's an hour away from Myrtle Beach...I can't complain. It's like a job and vacation at the same time.

As an assistant coach, describe what a typical day is like for you?

A typical day for me as an assistant would be, breaking down film, putting together practice plans, individual workouts, preparing scouting reports if we are playing that week and most importantly, recruiting.

If after a few years you find your career in the states has hit a plateau, would you consider coming back to Canada to apply your knowledge in the Canadian system?

I would definitely consider coming back to Canada to coach. I think the knowledge I gain throughout my time in the U.S. would be beneficial to any basketball program in Canada. Plus it's my country, i bleed red and white.

Why did you head to the U.S.?

I headed to the U.S. because I feel that there is more opportunity there.

Would going to the U.S. be something you recommend to young coaches in Canada?

Yes, as long as you are willing to move from place to place, I am obviously moving around. It's tough to get a coaching job and to stay there for your entire career. If you look at the successful coaches in the states, a lot of them have moved around.