OFFICIAL: McGeehan to Campbell

Kevin McGeehan, who helped lead the University of Richmond to five post-season berths in the last six years, has been named head men’s basketball coach at Campbell University.

In a Thursday afternoon press conference at the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center, the former associate head coach at Richmond was introduced by Director of Athletics Bob Roller to the media, Campbell University students, faculty, staff and fans.

McGeehan spent the last eight years on the staff of head coach Chris Mooney at Richmond, where the Spiders advanced to the NCAA tournament twice and three times to the College Basketball Invitational tournament. He was promoted from assistant to associate head coach prior to the 2008-09 campaign.

"I am delighted Kevin McGeehan has accepted our offer to become the next head basketball coach at Campbell University," said Dr. Jerry M. Wallace, University President. "I am convinced his experience and success at the University of Richmond has prepared him to lead our program to championship results. I applaud the search team for its success in bringing many able candidates for consideration."

Among the highlights for the Richmond program during McGeehan’s time on staff was consecutive NCAA tournament berths, including a trip to the 2011 NCAA Sweet 16. The Spiders were ranked in the national top-25 polls in 2010 and set a school record with 29 victories one year later when they won the Atlantic-10 Conference championship.

"I had the opportunity in the past few weeks to speak with numerous contacts throughout the college basketball world as it pertained to our search," said Roller. "There was always one constant comment whenever I asked about Kevin McGeehan; and it was that he is a true basketball coach and teacher. Kevin has been a part of building programs at all levels since the mid-1990s, and he is extremely well positioned to take Campbell Basketball where our alumni, student body, and supporters want to go."

Richmond’s senior class in 2012 tied a school record with 91 victories over a four-year span. The 2013 team advanced to the CBI quarterfinals after matching a school standard with 15 home victories.

"I am incredibly grateful and humbled by the opportunity to become the next men’s basketball coach at Campbell University," said McGeehan. "Melissa and I have been overwhelmed with the kindness of every person we have met and are excited to add our family to this Campbell family. I want to thank Dr. Wallace, Bob Roller, Dennis Bazemore, Jim Roberts and the committee for affording me this amazing opportunity."

McGeehan assumes control over a program that has called the 3095-seat Gore Arena inside the Pope Convocation Center home since November 2008. Over the last five years, the Camels have amassed a 48-24 (.667) record at home.

"As I look at the beauty of the campus, the amazing growth in academic programs, the fantastic Pope Convocation Center and the spirit and passion which I have felt in every person I have met, I feel like we have a formula for success right here," said McGeehan. "I look forward to the challenge of leading this team as we look to become the flagship program in the Big South Conference."

He will take over a team that returns nine of its top 10 scorers and rebounders from 2012-13, when the Camels finished 13-20 overall and third in the Big South Conference North Division (7-9). Among the returning players are all-conference point guard Trey Freeman and rising senior power forward Marvelle Harris.

Teamed with Coach Mooney since the mid-90s, McGeehan has played a vital role in the resurgence of the basketball fortunes at the Air Force Academy and Richmond.

Mooney and McGeehan started coaching together at Lansdale Catholic High School in the mid 1990’s, before moving to Beaver College (now Arcadia University). When Mooney left Beaver College to go to Air Force, McGeehan took over the head coaching duties for two years before moving to Springfield High School in Erdenheim, Pa., where he was also a guidance counselor.

After Mooney became the head coach at Air Force in 2004-05, McGeehan joined him Colorado Springs. He helped lead Air Force to an 18-12 overall record in 2004-05, which marked the second most wins in school history. The Falcons led the entire nation in scoring defense and finished second in the country in fewest turnovers per game in 2004-05.

In McGeehan’s third year at Richmond, the Spiders began a string of four-straight 20-win seasons and postseason appearances. Over the past three seasons, Richmond owns nine victories over BCS conference teams, including five during 2010-11 and a victory over Wake Forest last December. In addition, Richmond has won eight of its last 14 games against ranked opponents, most recently an 86-74 overtime triumph on Jan. 24 against No.-16 VCU.

Richmond won a school record 26 games in 2009-10, finished 13-3 in the Atlantic 10, reached the A-10 title game and received an at-large bid as a No.-7 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Spiders broke that school record for wins in 2010-11 finishing 29-8 and 13-3 in A-10 play, advancing to the title game for the second-straight year and coming away with its first A-10 Championship in 10 years in the league.

The Spiders defeated No. 25 ranked Vanderbilt and Morehead State to reach the 2011 Sweet 16. Richmond’s recent success has also included a 40-15 record against Atlantic 10 teams in the last three years, tournament victories in the South Padre Island Invitational (wins over Missouri and Mississippi State), the Chicago Invitational Challenge, defeating No.-8 Purdue in the title game, and the Orange Bowl Classic, defeating No.-13 Florida.

A 1995 graduate of Gettysburg, McGeehan was the captain of the men’s basketball team his senior season. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and then earned a dual master’s degree in secondary and higher education and counseling from West Chester in 1999.

In addition to being the head coach at Beaver College and Springfield High School, McGeehan has been director of Summer Basketball Camps for Upper Dublin Township, Springfield Township and Beaver College.

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