Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell announced Chris Crutchfield as the 22nd head coach of Omaha men’s basketball Friday morning. Crutchfield brings 20 years of coaching experience to the program.
Crutchfield returns to the Maverick family after previously serving as an assistant coach in the 1995-96 season. He also donned the crimson and black as a men’s basketball and football student-athlete in the early 90s.
“It’s an exciting day for Omaha Athletics as we welcome Chris Crutchfield and his wife Jodi back home to UNO,” said Dowell. “Over the past 20 years, Coach Crutchfield has built an impressive resume as one of the best recruiters in the nation in addition to a successful track record in holistically developing talented student-athletes. He has worked alongside some of the brightest minds in the game, and his vast experience at the highest level of college basketball and experience in the Summit League will serve our program well.
“We are thrilled to have a coach with Chris’ character, passion, and acumen lead our student-athletes as we strive to achieve the next level of success for Maverick basketball.”
Crutchfield currently serves as an assistant coach with Oregon men’s basketball. He helped guide the Ducks to a 20-14 finish in the 2021-22 season. Oregon is currently competing in the NIT.
“I could not be more thankful and excited for the opportunity to return to the university and community that helped shape me into the person and coach that I am today,” Crutchfield said. “My family and I would like to thank President Ted Carter, Chancellor Dr. Joanne Li, and Athletic Director Adrian Dowell for the road map to return home. We are looking forward to building something special in Omaha.”
Prior to Oregon, Crutchfield spent the 2020-21 season as the head coach at East Central in Ada, Oklahoma where he coached his sons, Jalen and Josh. The team finished 10-9 and earned a spot in the Great American Conference tournament. Prior to ECU, Crutchfield served as the associate head coach with the Arkansas Razorbacks, where he helped sign a top-five recruiting class in the nation while also contributing to the development of Associated Press Co-SEC Player of the Year Mason Jones who currently plays in the Los Angeles Lakers organization.
Most notably, Crutchfield spent eight seasons under Lon Kruger at Oklahoma where he served as an associate head coach. During his eight years with the Sooners, Crutchfield played a crucial role in recruiting and developing current Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young – the first five-star recruit of Kruger’s tenure at OU – and Indiana Pacers shooting guard Buddy Hield. Hield was named the winner of the 2016 Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, and the Oscar Robinson Trophy as the National Player of the Year after ranking second in the nation in scoring. He was also the first player in Big-12 history to be named Player of the Year twice.
While at Oklahoma, the Sooners earned six NCAA Tournament berths including a trip to the Final Four in 2016.
Before his move to Oklahoma, Crutchfield was an assistant coach at Oral Roberts from 2007-11, TCU from 2005-07, and New Mexico State from 2001-05.
ORU finished in the top three of the Summit League standings in each of his four seasons. They averaged 20 wins per year and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 after clinching the regular season and postseason titles. As an assistant, Crutchfield helped coach five All-Summit first team, four second team, four honorable mentions, and five all-newcomer selections. The team also collected one Defensive Player of the Year, one Sixth Man of the Year, and two Newcomer of the Year awards with his guidance.
Crutchfield made his coaching debut at Omaha in the 1995-96 season. He then followed Omaha head coach Tim Carter to the University of Texas-San Antonio, where he served as an assistant coach for the Roadrunners from 1996-97. He earned his first head coaching role with Tyler Junior College, a position he held from 1999-01.
Prior to his coaching debut, Crutchfield played football and basketball at Omaha. He received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1992 followed by his master’s degree in health, physical education, and administration in 1996.
Crutchfield’s wife Jodi is also an UNO graduate. They have three sons, Derrick, Jalen, and Josh.
UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, celebrated the hire as a win for both the campus and Omaha communities.
“We are building something special here at Omaha,” Li said. “Coach Crutchfield is fully committed to the university’s mission of molding students into the kind of lifelong learners and fierce competitors that will drive our city and our state forward. I invite all Mavericks to join me in welcoming Chris and his family back to Omaha.”
University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter commended Omaha for its selection.
“It’s easy to see from Coach Crutchfield’s selection to lead the men’s basketball program that Mavericks are committed to greatness,” Carter said. “I applaud Adrian Dowell and Chancellor Li for creating an atmosphere where the university administration and athletic department’s goals are not only in full alignment but have the enthusiastic support of fans and its philanthropic network. Coach Crutchfield’s impressive resume and with the speed and efficiency of this coaching search speaks volumes about how serious Omaha is about producing champions in the classroom and on the court.”
Crutchfield Named Omaha Men’s Basketball Head Coach
