After 40 years of coaching basketball, Hardin-Simmons head coach Craig Carse has announced his retirement as the head basketball coach.

Carse just completed the most successful season in school history leading the Cowboys to the third round of the NCAA Tournament and posting a school record 24-7 mark. Over the last two seasons, his team won the first two American Southwest Conference titles in school history. He finishes his career with a record of 442-286 in 26 seasons as a head coach.

“It has been a great run for me as a basketball coach, it is time for me to take care of my health and spend some time with the grandkids,” said Carse. “I have experienced many things all over the world coaching basketball and the relationships I have built with my players, assistant coaches and other co-workers will last a lifetime.”

In his distinguished career he coached on the NCAA Division I, II and III levels as well as in the NAIA.

He won conference championships (either regular season, postseason or both) in the Presidents Athletic, West Virginia Intercollegiate, Southeastern, Pacific West, Heartland and American Southwest conferences. He guided teams to the national postseason tournaments in all four levels.

At Hardin-Simmons, he posted a record a record of 152-96 in nine seasons and has the second-most wins is school history. He coached a pair of ASC player of the years and 19 players were named all-conference. He has had 22 players named academic all-ASC.

“Hardin-Simmons is a great university, run by a great administration that has a passion for serving students,” said Carse. “The people are genuine and have been great supporters of what we tried to do with our program. I am deeply appreciative for the opportunity to serve the school for nine years. It is a wonderful place.”

https://www.hsuathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/2016-17/releases/20170312lidvul