Corban University Athletics announced on Wednesday morning the hiring of Mitch Freeman as the new head men’s basketball coach for the Warriors.
“We are proud to announce that Mitch Freeman will be the next head men’s basketball coach at Corban University,” said Corban Assistant Athletic Director Sue Roth. “We had an amazing pool of candidates, and Mitch rose to the top. Besides his extensive experience as a successful coach in quality programs in Washington and California, Mitch brings a heartfelt desire to have his basketball program reflect the Lord Jesus Christ and to spur on the culture that supports the mission of Corban. We couldn’t be more excited to have Mitch join our athletic department and the whole community of Corban University.”
Coming to Corban after more than 14 years coaching in the college ranks, Freeman joins the Warriors after the last five years as head coach at Peninsula College. While compiling more than 88 wins since 2013, Freeman guided the Peninsula Pirates to the NWAC Championship game in 2018, a quarterfinal appearance in 2017, a division championship in 2016, and a semifinal appearance in 2015.
“I want to thank President Nord, Assistant Athletic Directors Sue Roth and Danny Day, as well as the entire search committee for their time and commitment to the process,” said Freeman. “The Lord has blessed me beyond belief and I couldn’t be more excited to work at a University that is committed to serving Jesus, cultivating student development, and furthering its athletic programs. Coach Johnson established a very competitive basketball program over the past two years, and I am excited to build upon this success by continuing to compete at the top of the Cascade Collegiate Conference. My wife, Nicole, and our two boys (Eli and Gavin) are very excited about joining the Corban University family and Salem community. We can’t wait to get started. Go Warriors!”
During the 2015-16 campaign, Freeman was tabbed the North Division NWAC Coach of the Year while leading the Pirates to the NWAC North Division Championship. In the past four years, he was influential in seeing 17 sophomores graduate from Peninsula and saw 11 of those players move on to 4-year Universities at the NAIA and NCAA levels. In addition, since 2016, six players collected All-NWAC plaudits under Freeman’s tutelage. On top of his basketball success at Peninsula, Freeman also served as the Assistant Athletic Director for the Pirates.
“I want to thank Dr. Robins, Vice President Jack Huls, Athletic Director Rick Ross, and the entire Peninsula College community for supporting my family and me over the past five years,” said Freeman. “Peninsula College has allowed me to grow and develop as a head coach, and I am forever grateful. The Olympic Peninsula is a very special place, and we can’t thank this Port Angeles/Sequim community enough for loving and supporting us for the past five years. Our family has developed lifelong friends who we love and wish the best for. Once a Pirate, always a Pirate!”
Prior to Peninsula, Freeman was an assistant coach at the NCAA Division I level for eight years, serving as an assistant at Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo from 2009-2013 and at Seattle University from 2005-2009. During his time at Cal Poly, he served as the lead scout for all contests, helped five players sign professional contracts, recruited an NBA Player who recently signed with the Chicago Bulls, and recruited a Parade-Magazine All-American in 2012.
Freeman officially begins his duties at Corban on July 1.
http://corbanwarriors.com/news/2018/6/6/18MBB_Corban_MitchFreeman_HeadCoach_News.aspx
