After more than 40 years of coaching at the collegiate level, Holy Cross head men’s basketball coach Bill Carmody has announced his retirement. Carmody has served as the Crusaders’ head coach for the last four years and has posted a career record of 342-308. In 2016, he led Holy Cross to the Patriot League Tournament title and the school’s first NCAA Tournament victory since 1953.
“When I arrived here four years ago, I knew my decades of college coaching would likely end at Holy Cross. I could not have wished for a more fitting last stop,” said Carmody. “Holy Cross embodies what many college athletics programs struggle to deliver — commitment without compromise. This was not an easy decision. Barbara and I, as well as our two sons, have come to love Holy Cross. If I were to continue coaching, there is nowhere I’d rather be, and I will miss this place.”
Carmody’s 2015-2016 Holy Cross team won four-consecutive Patriot League Tournament games on the road to win the league crown, becoming the first team in conference history to accomplish that feat. The Crusaders downed Lehigh, 59-56, in the Patriot League championship game, before posting a 59-55 victory over Southern at the NCAA First Four in Dayton, Ohio. On Nov. 22, 2016, Carmody earned his 300th career victory when Holy Cross defeated Harvard, 63-52.
“I have admired Coach Carmody’s career from afar for a long time,” said Holy Cross director of athletics Marcus Blossom. “He has had such an impactful and remarkable career at institutions that value both athletic and academic achievement. And while I would have enjoyed the opportunity to work with such an incredible coach and leader, I know he has positioned this program for success. I wish him and his family the very best as they enter this new chapter.”
Prior to his time with the Crusaders, Carmody served as the head coach at Northwestern University for 13 seasons. He guided the Wildcats to four-consecutive winning seasons from 2008-2012, with his 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 teams both recording a then-school record 20 victories. Carmody was also selected as the Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year in 2003-2004.
Carmody was previously the head coach at Princeton University from 1996-2000. During his four-year tenure, he guided the Tigers to an overall record of 92-25 and an Ivy League mark of 50-6, while leading the team to the postseason each year. In 1997-1998, Carmody’s Princeton team finished with a 27-2 record, a top-10 national ranking and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Holy Cross will immediately commence a national search for Carmody’s replacement.
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