I reported this as a rumor on Monday -just wanted to pass along the press release now Clif Carroll’s hiring at McMurry is official…
McMurry University introduced Clif Carroll as its new head men’s basketball coach. Carroll comes to the War Hawks after two seasons as an assistant at NCAA Division I Lamar University.
Carroll is the 15th men’s basketball head coach in McM history. He replaces Chris Beard, who resigned in March to take the same position at Angelo State University.
Carroll, 31, was a part of the Cardinals’ first NCAA playoff team in over a decade in 2012, when Lamar won the Southland Conference tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA championships. LU lost to Vermont, 71-59, in the “First Four” round.
“As a coach, Clif brings a pedigree of success to McMurry University,” McM Director of Athletics Ron Holmes stated. “But besides knowing the ‘X’s and O’s’ on the floor, he has a proven record of being a successful recruiter, a strong grasp of the importance of marketing and promoting his sport, as well as producing student-athletes who have been honored for their work in the classroom.
“His familiarity with the region and the junior college system will also be a plus for him in carrying on the great tradition of McMurry men’s basketball.”
Prior to joining Pat Knight’s staff at Lamar, Carroll was an assistant coach at Collin County Community College for three seasons (2008-11). During his time there, he helped the Cougars to a total of 77 victories (the most in any three-year stretch in program history). He was also selected as an assistant coach for the NJCAA All-Star Game.
During his time with Collin C.C., the teams earned a NTJCAC championship in 2008-09 (winning 27 games), made two NJCAA Region V semifinal appearances and one NJCAA Region V quarterfinal placing. The Cougars had back-to-back 25-win campaigns in 2009-10 & 2010-11.
Carroll’s history of success stretches back even further to his time as an assistant coach at South Plains College (2006-08), where he helped the Texans to the NJCAA National Championship in 2007-08 and a 30-5 record.
With Carroll on staff, the two junior colleges had amassed an impressive record of 135-30 (.818). He coached five NJCAA All-Americans in five seasons in the JUCO ranks.
Carroll cut his coaching teeth as a student assistant coach under legendary coach Bob Knight at Texas Tech. As a part of the Tech staff, Carroll was on staff during the Red Raiders’ run to the NCAA “Sweet 16” in 2004-05. He also had the honor of being alongside Knight when he earned his 800th career coaching victory.
Carroll was a student assistant coach at South Plains College before attending Texas Tech. He also directed the high school summer league program at his prep alma mater, Meadow High School, directing both the varsity and junior varsity teams for four years.
“I’m excited to be the new head coach for the War Hawks. I’m even more excited to carry on the great tradition of success accomplished by Coach (Hershel) Kimbrell and Holmes.
“I appreciate President (John) Russell and Coach Holmes giving me this opportunity.”
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