HoopDirt.com mentioned this a few days ago (DII Dirt) – it has now been made official…
Lenoir-Rhyne University officials announced today that Everick Sullivan has accepted the position of head coach for men’s basketball. An event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10 at 4 p.m. in McCrorie Center, Room 213 to introduce Coach Sullivan and provide members of the LR campus, Bears Club and extended community the opportunity to meet and talk with him.
Sullivan brings over 12 years of experience as a collegiate basketball coach to LRU. He previously served as associate head coach at Eastern Kentucky, and has spent the last four seasons at Georgia State University as assistant coach, under head coach Ron Hunter.
“We believe Coach Sullivan is the perfect choice to lead the Bears men’s basketball team,” said LRU’s new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Kim Pate. “Coach Sullivan brings all the qualities necessary to develop and sustain a nationally contending NCAA DII basketball program that our campus, community, and alumni will continue to take great pride in. He brings a high level of character, playing and coaching experience, vast recruiting contacts, and most importantly a commitment to developing his players to their full potential both on and off the court. I feel confident that the program will thrive under the leadership of Coach Sullivan as we embark on a new era of LR Basketball.”
Sullivan replaces Ryan Odom who resigned from LRU last month, after serving as head coach for one season. He accepted the position of head coach for the Division I level program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Under Odom, the LR Men’s Basketball Team ended the 2016 season with a 21-10 record, advancing to the NCAA Division II Regional Finals for the first time in school history. They were ranked as the seventh seeded team entering the tournament, but were closed out of the Elite 8 following a loss to Lincoln Memorial (103-80).
“We are extremely proud of the accomplishments and determination our Bears team demonstrated this past season,” said University President Dr. Wayne B. Powell. “We are excited to welcome Coach Sullivan to the LR family and look forward to the direction he will lead our program in the future.”
Sullivan’s impact with the Georgia State team was immense. He was instrumental in guiding the Panthers to 87 wins, the most in any four-year stretch in program history. His tenure was highlighted this past year by a 25-win season, Sun Belt regular season and tournament titles, along with a win over No. 3-seed Baylor in the NCAA tournament as the Panthers advanced to the third round for just the second time in school history. The Panthers have won 25 games in each of the last two seasons, one of just 20 programs to accomplish the feat. Georgia State has won back-to-back Sun Belt regular season championships, going along with a tournament title in 2015 and a Postseason NIT appearance in 2014.
Before joining the Panthers in 2011, Sullivan spent three seasons with Eastern Kentucky – the first two as assistant and then associate coach in his final season. During his tenure, he helped lead the Colonels to 53 wins. In his last two seasons with Eastern Kentucky, the Colonels were among the top 10 in the NCAA in 3-point shooting percentage, ranked second nationally in 3-pointers made (10), assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.63) and third in fewest turnovers per game (9.6).
Prior to his three-year stint with Eastern Kentucky, Sullivan spent four years as a head coach while compiling an impressive overall record of 107-26 (.804). From 2005-08, he was in charge of the Vincennes University program in Indiana and helped the Trailblazers advance to two National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tournament appearances. In 2005-06, his team was ranked the ninth best defense in the nation. He recruited and graduated 92 percent of all his student-athletes with 22 of his 24 players moving on to four-year institutions. From 2004-05, Sullivan served as the head coach at Lincoln Trial College in Illinois, where he finished with a 28-5 record. He was named Region and District Coach of the Year multiple times during his head coaching career.
Sullivan began his coaching career at Wabash Valley College, also in Illinois, spending both the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons with the program.
“It is with tremendous pride and honor that I accept the head men’s basketball coaching position at Lenoir-Rhyne University,” said Sullivan. “Together, our staff and players will embrace the overall mission of Lenoir-Rhyne and recognize the responsibility we share to represent our institution, program, alumni and community, on and off the court, with class, enthusiasm and excellence. I deeply appreciate the support of President Powell, Athletic Director Kim Pate, Lenoir-Rhyne administration and search committee. I can’t possibly thank Coach Hunter and Georgia State University enough for preparing me for this day.”
A native of Simpsonville, South Carolina, Sullivan played collegiate basketball at the University of Louisville in Kentucky under Hall of Fame head coach Denny Crum from 1988-92. He played in three NCAA tournaments and is among the Cardinals’ all-time leaders in scoring (ranked 15th), assists (9th), 3-point percentage (10th) and dunks (10th).
Sullivan earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Louisville. Following his graduation, he played eight years of professional basketball in Finland, Portugal, Slovenia, Poland, Puerto Rico, Cyprus and Lebanon. In 1998, his team won the Cyprus league championship and he was voted MVP.
