Long-time Division I assistant coach Tom Hankins has been tabbed to take over the head coaching reigns at Central Oklahoma, it was announced Thursday.
Hankins just completed his third season as associate head coach at Southern Illinois after spending the previous 15 years as an assistant at Oral Roberts. A Tulsa native, Hankins graduated from Thomas Edison High School and played collegiately at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and Northeastern State.
“I can’t say enough how excited me and my family are to be coming to UCO,” said Hankins, who is married (Annie) with three children. “Growing up in Oklahoma, we’re aware of what a great community Edmond is and we know of the tradition at UCO.
Hankins replaces Evans, who resigned April 17 after a 13-year career that saw him go 263-124 as the winningest coach in school history.
“From the beginning, we were looking for someone with a unique set of skills and we believe we’ve found that in Tom Hankins,” UCO athletic director Joe Muller said. “Tom’s combination of Division I experience, his strong ties to Oklahoma high school basketball and his sense of community make him an ideal fit for UCO.
“To engage someone who has enjoyed consistent success in Division I like Tom says a lot about the stature and quality of this program. We’re excited about the future of UCO basketball.”
Hankins was a Tulsa World All-City selection as a senior at Edison High School before playing two years at NEO and two at NSU.
Hankins earned a graduate degree from Northwest Missouri, where he served as a graduate assistant coach. He also had assistant coaching stops at NEO, Frank Phillips College and Tulsa East Central High School before serving one year as head coach at ECHS.
Hankins went to ORU as assistant coach in 1997 and spent 15 years there, helping the Golden Eagles win five Summit League championships and make three Division I national tournament appearances. He joined the SIU staff in 2012.
http://www.bronchosports.com/news/2015/5/14/MBB_0514154704.aspx
Photos Courtesy Southern Illinois Athletics
