Bevill State Community College has named Tommy Suitts as the new head basketball coach for the College’s newly reinstated men’s basketball program.

A coaching veteran, Suitts has been the head coach at Chicago State University (1987-90), and Rice University (1981-87), and served as an assistant at Alabama, SEMO, and North Alabama.

“I am honored to have been selected to re-establish the basketball program at Bevill State. In my days as a player at Marion Military and as a young coach at Alabama, UNA, and Rice, Coach Glen Clem’s program at Walker College was the program by which all junior college basketball programs in Alabama were measured. My goal is to return the program here at Bevill State to a place of prominence,” said Coach Suitts.

Dr. Larry Ferguson, president of Bevill State is optimistic about the new coach. “I am excited to have Coash Suitts join us at Bevill State. His experience and established dedication to his players will prove invaluable as we begin this new chapter of our athletic program. I hope everyone will join me in welcoming Coach Suitts to the Bevill team,” said Dr. Ferguson.

The College announced in May that athletics, including men’s basketball on the Jasper Campus, would be returning after a five-year absence. In addition to men’s basketball, Bevill State plans to return men’s baseball to the Fayette Campus, women’s volleyball to the Fayette Campus, and women’s softball to the Sumiton Campus.

For Suitts, he is ready to begin recruiting for the new team. “We will immediately begin to contact high school coaches to develop a recruiting list for spring signing. North Alabama has always had good high school basketball, and we need to take advantage of this resource,” he explained.

Play in all reinstated sports are expected to begin in Fall 2017.