Oral Roberts University has named Paul Mills as the new head coach for the ORU men’s basketball program, it was announced today by Mike Carter, ORU’s Director of Athletics. Mills joins the Golden Eagles after 14 years at Baylor, eight as an assistant coach, and will be officially introduced at a press conference Monday.
“This is an exciting day for ORU basketball. Coach Mills has a wealth of top level NCAA experience and comes to us fully prepared to advance the ORU men’s basketball program to new heights,” said Carter. “I love the passion Coach Mills has for his players and this will be key as we continue to develop whole person champions.Coach Mills is here for the long-haul committing to a five year contract building toward a strong Golden Eagle men’s basketball future.”
“I am honored to accept this role of representing this historic institution, its students and its mission,” said Mills. “Making this commitment today is a highlight of my career and I look forward with excitement to the basketball season directly ahead. Go Golden Eagles.”
“In Coach Mills we have a man of great character who has a passion for mentoring young men to be good citizens, good husbands, and spiritual leaders. Coach Mills has a fantastic family and a strong competitive nature,” said ORU President William Wilson. “We are excited for the days ahead.”
While on the staff at Baylor with Head Coach Scott Drew, Mills has helped the Bears graduate 36 of 38 seniors and has helped lead Baylor to a pair of NCAA Elite Eights, four Sweet 16’s and four straight NCAA Tournament appearances. The Bears have been ranked in the top 25 for 10 straight seasons and were ranked number one in the country for the first time in school history during the 2016-17 season.
Mills was on the Rice staff from 2002-03 and the head coach at Fort Bend Christian Academy from 1999-2002, taking them to the TAPPS 4A Final Four for the first time in school history and was the South Region Coach of the Year and a four-time District Coach of the Year. Prior to his time in Sugar Land, Texas, Mills won three straight district championships as the head coach at North Belt Christian.
Mills serves as the Big 12 representative for the National Association of Basketball Coaches and was a board member for the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches from 2001-03. He is a 1996 graduate of Texas A&M with a degree in finance, and is married to Wendy Scott-Mills. The couple has two daughters, Audrey and Abbey.
Monday’s 2pm press conference will be held in the new ORU Global Learning Center and is open to the public.
http://www.oruathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2016-17/releases/20170428n5efaz
