Charlotte 49ers head men’s basketball coach Mark Price has announced the hiring Chris Ferguson as an assistant coach. Ferguson, who has 28-years of collegiate coaching experience, joins the 49ers coaching staff after spending the last eight years a member of the Oklahoma State coaching staff.
“I am very excited to add Chris Ferguson who has 28-years of college coaching experience to our staff,” Price said. “Chris is one of top recruiters in the country who has signed players such as 2014 NBA Lottery Pick Marcus Smart. We are fortunate to get a coach of his caliber at Charlotte. His work ethic is legendary and he will be a great mentor for our players.”
Ferguson joined the Oklahoma State coaching staff in 2007. Ferguson played an integral role in helping Oklahoma State make five trips to the NCAA Tournament in his eight seasons in Stillwater. In 2009, he played an integral role in helping Oklahoma State sign one of the top recruiting classes in the country, which was ranked as high as fourth by HoopScoopOnline.com. He recruited Oklahoma State standouts 2014 NBA Lottery pick Marcus Smart as well as Brooklyn Nets rookie Markel Brown.
“I am excited to be a part of Coach Mark Price’s first staff,” Ferguson said. “He’s been a leader and a winner all his life and he’s someone we can all believe in.”
Prior to his time at Oklahoma State, Ferguson spent two seasons at East Carolina (2005-07). He was the associate head coach at East Carolina in 2007. Ferguson came to East Carolina after spending eight years as an assistant coach for the Tennessee Volunteers (1997-05). He was part of Jerry Green’s staff for the first four years and then the last four years he was part of Buzz Peterson’s staff. He was the associate head coach for his final two years at Tennessee (2003-05).
During his time at Tennessee, the Volunteers made six consecutive postseason tournament appearances including four-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (1998-2001). Tennessee advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 1999 and the Sweet 16 in 2000. The Volunteers also captured two SEC Eastern Division titles and one overall SEC title during his time. While at Tennessee, he recruited and coached 11 different players who earned All-SEC honors, three All-Americans, two SEC Players of the Year, four McDonald’s All-Americans, four NBA players and a lottery pick.
Before his time at Tennessee, Ferguson spent six seasons on Bill Foster’s staff at Virginia Tech (1991-97). In 1996, the Hokies went 23-6 and earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament. In 1995, Virginia Tech won a school-record 25 games and captured the NIT title.
Before going to Virginia Tech, he spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Appalachian State. Ferguson first collegiate coaching job was an assistant under Jerry Green at UNC Asheville (1986-87).
Ferguson began his coaching career in 1982, with a four-year stint as an assistant coach at Morganton, North Carolina’s Freedom High School.
The Hendersonville, North Carolina native played two years of college basketball at Central Wesleyan (S.C.) College and two years at Cumberland (Ky.) College. He helped both teams earn bids to the NAIA National Tournament.
Ferguson earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health from Cumberland in 1981. Ferguson and his wife Mary, have a family of six: Brian, who is an assistant men’s basketball coach at Winthrop, Crystal, Lathon, Torey, Anna Brian and Delaney.
Photo courtesy of Charlotte Sports
