Andy Carrier, Braves Athletic Hall of Fame inductee and the winningest coach in Ottawa University history with 328 career victories, announced Tuesday evening that he is retiring as Head Men’s Basketball Coach after a 25-year career.
"I am very grateful to Ottawa University for the opportunity to coach the men’s basketball team the past 25 years," said Carrier. "It has been an honor and a privilege. I am so thankful to all current and former players, as well as current and former assistants. They have been the heart and soul of a basketball program I know we are all very proud of in so many ways. Thanks also to current faculty and staff, former colleagues, our loyal alums, and the current leadership of the University, which have been so supportive of our programs and of me personally."
OU administrators are discussing a variety of options that will allow Carrier to continue to serve the University in an administrative and faculty role.
"I broached the possibility of my retirement with President Kevin Eichner over a year ago," said Carrier. "He encouraged me to take my time and to think about it. I am completely at peace and confident in my decision that this is now the right time for me to step down. I am blessed to have a very supportive family that has allowed me to do this for so long. I am really looking forward to having a little extra time to spend with them, and I’m very thankful to OU that there are some exciting opportunities for me to continue to serve the University and its mission moving forward."
Over his distinguished 25-year career, Carrier led the Braves to five NAIA Division II National Tournaments, earned one NAIA District 10 Championship, three KCAC Championships, and three KCAC Tournament Championships. Carrier led the Braves to a school single season record of 24 wins in 2007-08 and back-to-back ‘Sweet 16’ appearances (2007-08, 2008-09) in the NAIA National Tournament. He was honored as the NAIA District 10 Coach of the Year in 1993, received the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Award in 1994-95 and 2008-2009, and was named KCAC Coach of the Year in 1994-95, 2001-02 and 2007-08.
Carrier has coached 76 All-KCAC performers, four KCAC Players of the year and seven players who earned NAIA All-American honors, five of them twice. He has coached three First Team All-District 10 players, seven All-KCAC Freshman Team selections, four All-KCAC Defensive Team selections, and one KCAC Freshman of the Year.
"When I think of the attributes we value in our coaches – integrity, skill, competitiveness, a servant heart, an educator, and a builder of young people – I think of Andy Carrier," said President Kevin Eichner. "I have worked with him for all 25 years of his tenure at OU, and we are enormously grateful for what he has brought to his players and our school. He embodies the very term ‘class,’ as does his hand-picked successor, Associate Head Coach Aaron Siebenthall, who I am also very excited to have available to continue OU’s fine basketball tradition."
In addition to coaching basketball, Carrier served Ottawa University as Director of Enrollment for three years, Director of Athletics for nine years, and Dean of Student Affairs for four. He served as Vice-President of the KCAC and was voted KCAC Athletic Administrator of the Year three times (1999, 2000 and 2005). He was inducted into the Braves Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.
At the conclusion of his final season this spring, Carrier learned that his team was awarded the inaugural KCAC Men’s Basketball Champions of Character Team Award.
"Coach Carrier and his teams throughout the years have consistently modeled the five core values of Champions of Character, long before the program was launched," said Director of Athletics Arabie Conner. "Integrity, team first, and honesty have been unwavering consistencies throughout his 25 years. It couldn’t be more fitting that this year’s team (his last) was named the first KCAC Champions of Character team for men’s basketball as selected by his peers. This award is a direct recognition and reflection of who he is as a person, the accountability and demands of what he expects of his teams, and his professional and respectful approach to the game."
Carrier graduated from Bethany College in 1981 (Business/Economics) and earned a master’s degree from Emporia State University in 1986 (Physical Education and Exercise Physiology). He had a standout career in both basketball and golf while at Bethany, earning eight varsity letters. He was a two-time all-conference performer in basketball and led the Swedes to back-to-back KCAC titles in 1979-80 and 1980-81. He was also a member of the NAIA All-District 10 basketball team in 1981. As an All-Conference performer in golf, Carrier was inducted into the Bethany College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.
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