A veteran of coaching in the Southland Conference, David Dumars joins the Lamar University men’s basketball coaching staff announced head coach Tic Price Monday afternoon. Dumars replaces Justin Bailey who left last month to become the head coach at Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Dumars comes to Beaumont after spending the previous 18 years at McNeese, the final 14 seasons as associate head coach. The hiring marks the second time Price and Dumars have served on the same staff.
“Dave Dumars is a veteran coach,” said Price. “He knows the Southland Conference extremely well. Because of his time in the Southland, he knows exactly what it takes to win in this league. Having coached against us, he is also very familiar with our program and how we like to do things.
“In addition, to helping hang banners in Lake Charles with me, he has recruiting contacts in Louisiana and Mississippi. Those are two areas where we would like to do a better job. It came down to experience, contacts and Dave has always been loyal to me throughout the years,” added Price.
During his time in Lake Charles, Dumars played a key role in helping the Cowboys win three Southland Conference titles under the direction of three different head coaches (including Price), in addition to four postseason appearances including the 2002 NCAA Championships. The Cowboys also made four Southland tournament finals appearances during his time on the other side of the border.
Dumars also played an integral role in helping McNeese produce its two most recent Southland Conference Players of the Year. Demond Mallet received the honor in 2001 while Patrick Richard garnered MVP honors in 2012.
Dumars made the unlikely switch to basketball coaching after spending 13 seasons as an assistant football coach, including 11 at the collegiate level. Dumars began his coaching career serving as the pass coordinator and defensive backs coach at Tallulah High School before moving to a collegiate sideline. After two seasons with Tallulah, Dumars became the secondary coach at Southeast Missouri State where he would spend the next 11 seasons.
“We were extremely excited to know that Dave was still available,” said Price. “At the end of the day, he is a really good man, and I feel he will be a good role model for our student-athletes.”
During his time in Cape Girardeau, Dumars produced one of the best defensive backfields in the country. He produced 10 All-Ohio Valley defensive backs and coached two All-Americans. Three of his athletes would go on to be drafted into professional football.
https://lamarcardinals.com/news/2018/8/20/mens-basketball-david-dumars-joins-lu-coaching-staff.aspx
