Columbia College President Scott Dalrymple announced the promotion of Tomas Brock from associate head coach to head coach of the men’s basketball team following the 2018-19 season.
After a storied career that spans more than three decades, current men’s basketball coach and Athletic Director Bob Burchard announced his retirement following the current season on Jan. 15. Burchard will complete this basketball season with the Cougars before Brock assumes the new role.
“Based upon my own observations and a stellar recommendation from Coach Burchard, we are pleased to have Tomas serve as our head men’s basketball coach following the season,” Dalrymple said. “He has served as an assistant on the men’s basketball staff for four years and has done a very good job developing our student-athletes both on the court and in the classroom.”
During Brock’s time at Columbia College, the Cougars have gone a combined 95-29, earning American Midwest Conference titles and three trips to the NAIA National Championships. Over the past four years, 16 Cougars have received academic all-conference accolades for their work in the classroom and 11 have garnered all-conference nods for their performance on the court.
“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to become the next head basketball coach at Columbia College,” Brock said. “I’m grateful to Bob Burchard for giving me the chance to join this storied athletic program four years ago, and I will take pride in continuing the strong tradition he’s established here. I’m also very thankful to Dr. Scott Dalrymple and (interim Athletic Director) Cindy Potter for their vote of confidence in promoting me. The community of Columbia College is very special to my wife, Abby, and I, and I am thrilled to continue serving its student-athletes.”
Brock came to Columbia College in the fall of 2015 after a successful one-year stint as head coach at Hillcrest High School in Springfield, Missouri, where he led the Hornets to the Class 4 state championship game. Prior to his time at Hillcrest, he spent the 2013-14 season as the assistant coach at NCAA Division II East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. Brock helped the Tigers to their first winning season since 2006-07 and first conference tournament bid since the 2002-03 season. Among other duties, Brock organized several community service opportunities and served as the Tigers’ recruiting coordinator.
“Tomas is a rising star in our profession,” Burchard said. “His student-centered approach has helped us attract high-level individuals who are success-oriented, dedicated to the game and to the pursuit of their degree. He is a student of the game who always demonstrates a genuine concern for the well-being and success of each of our young men in all areas of their academic/athletic journey. Columbia College could not have selected a better person to lead the next chapter of Cougar basketball.”
Brock did his graduate work in health and physical education at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, where he was involved with scouting, recruiting and administrative duties for the men’s basketball team. Before starting his coaching career, Brock played at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. As a two-year team captain, Brock lead the Bearcats to an MIAA regular season title and a Sweet 16 national tournament appearance while earning All-MIAA honors as a junior and senior.
Brock to be named Head Basketball Coach at Columbia College
