Following up on something that I mentioned earlier today in the DAILY DIRT. Jimmy Drew has officially been named as the head coach at D2 Lincoln University of Missouri. Here is the official release from the school:

 Dr. Kevin Wilson, Vice President for Advancement, Athletics and Campus Recreation, announced on Tuesday (April 12) that Jimmy Drew will be the next leader of the Lincoln University men’s basketball program.

Drew comes to Jefferson City after a successful six-year run as an assistant coach and the director of basketball operations at the University of Central Florida, an NCAA Division I program. Drew helped lead the Knights to a pair of 20-win seasons, a berth in the second round of the NCAA tournament and a trip to the Final Four of the NIT.

“Jimmy brings a distinct basketball pedigree that will serve us well in Jefferson City,” Dr. Wilson said. “His student-centered approach, ability to maximize resources, reverence for the MIAA and desire to be a Blue Tiger were evident during our search process. He’s acquired a wealth of coaching knowledge during his time with highly respected coaches in Oliver Purnell and Johnny Dawkins.”

Drew, who helped Central Florida beat six teams ranked in the top-25 of the country, including two who were ranked in the top-15, has also coached at DePaul and Kentucky Wesleyan. During his time as a coach, he has worked with three players who have gone on to play in the NBA: Tacko Fall (Boston Celtics), Matt Williams (Miami Heat) and Deng Adel (Cleveland Cavaliers).

“In a time where we must continually recruit, his experiences as a student-athlete in the Ohio Valley Conference and the Big East will be a difference-maker as we strive to compete at the highest level,” Dr. Wilson said.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to lead the Lincoln University men’s basketball program,” Drew said. “I am grateful for the belief that President John Moseley and Vice President Kevin Wilson have shown in me. Their leadership and vision for LU is what excited me the most about this opportunity. When I arrived on campus and visited with the administration, faculty, staff and members of the Blue Tiger Athletics Club, I knew this was the right place for myself and my family. I am looking forward to building on the foundation that is here and competing at LU for years to come.”

Drew has coached 10 players who have achieved all-conference honors, including seven at UCF, where he has helped the program win 112 games since 2016. Drew worked with three 1,000-point scorers at UCF, and helped directly oversee the program’s budget, compliance, scheduling and day-to-day operations.

Prior to returning to the NCAA Division-I ranks with the Knights, Drew spent a year as the head coach of Victory Rock Prep in 2014-15, coaching three DI signees while leading the team to a 25-7 record. He also served as a coach with the Florida Sons AAU Adidas Gauntlet Series, where worked with nine players who went on to play Division I basketball in conferences such as the Big-12, the Southeastern Conference and the Big-10.

In 2013-14, Drew worked as an assistant coach at Kentucky Wesleyan, an NCAA Division II program. Drew helped the team earn a top-10 national ranking and coached three all-league honorees as KWU went 22-9 and reached the championship game of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament.

No stranger to Missouri, Drew began his collegiate career by playing two seasons for Southeast Missouri State University. He then transferred to DePaul University, where he started 17 games as a senior. After graduating, Drew remained at DePaul to serve as a graduate assistant, helping to break down film on opponents and performing advanced scouting.

Drew graduated from DePaul with a bachelor’s degree in communications in 2011, and later earned a master’s degree in business information technology in 2013.

What Others Are Saying About Coach Drew
“Jimmy Drew has served as an integral part of my staff at UCF since I started in 2016, and there is no doubt in my mind that he is ready to take this next step forward in his career. I couldn’t be happier for him and his family, and I wish him the best of luck at Lincoln University.” – Johnny Dawkins, Head Coach, UCF

“Jimmy Drew is an excellent young coach! He is a high-character guy that is a tireless worker. There is no doubt that Lincoln University basketball will be a force to be reckoned with under Coach Drew’s leadership.” – Happy Osbourne, Head Coach, Kentucky Wesleyan

“I sincerely believe that Lincoln is getting a guy in Jimmy Drew who has a tremendous knowledge of the game. This was evident to me from the first day that I coached him. It carried over into the time that he spent on my coaching staff. I’ve watched him develop into a fine young coach. You combine that with a young man who has a tremendous work ethic, and at the same time, tremendous integrity, and LU has got themselves a gem.” – Oliver Purnell, Former Head Coach at DePaul, Clemson, Dayton, Old Dominion & Radford

“Congratulations to a great friend! I’m super excited for Jimmy, he is going to do an amazing job. Super excited for him and this opportunity.” – Ricardo Greer, Associate Head Coach, Dayton