Story: Adam Nelson (@HD_DirtKing)

I can confirm that D2 Southern Wesleyan will remove the interim tag from Joel Stites, and will name him as the permanent head men’s basketball coach.

Stites took over for Brian Hewitt in late January, after serving as an assistant coach in the program since the fall. Stites had previously worked as a HS coach in Georgia, where he amassed 230 wins, coaching in both the private and public school levels. During his career, he took his teams to nine Sweet Sixteens, two Final Fours, and captured a State Championship in 2017.

After taking over for Hewitt this season, Stites went 1-7 and SWU wrapped up the season at 4-24 (3-15 Conference Carolinas).

An official announcement is expected shortly.