McMurry University Director of Athletics Sam Ferguson has announced that Zach Pickelman has been selected as the University’s new men’s basketball head coach. Pickelman is the 16th men’s basketball head coach in McM school history. Pickelman will be very familiar to – as well as him having a familiarity of – the McMurry faithful, serving on the men’s basketball coaching staff at nearby Hardin-Simmons University since 2007. Pickelman was a graduate assistant for the Cowboys from 2007-09 and the program’s assistant coach from 2009-2015 under Craig Carse. Pickelman also played collegiately at HSU (2003-2007), where he was a four-time all-American Southwest Conference West selection. As a senior in 2007, he was the ASC “Player of the Year” and earned honorable mention All-American status from Division III News. He was also a three-time ASC Academic All-Conference honoree. Pickelman’s knowledge of the recruiting base, as well as the other ASC schools, helped Pickelman rise to the top of a very talented pool of applicants. ”We had an amazing group of highly-qualified candidates,” Ferguson said of the selection process. “I think that says quite a bit about what McMurry University has to offer. But from that applicant pool, Zach quickly distinguished himself as the best ‘fit’ to guide our program. He truly has the NCAA Division III pedigree we desired in a coach and he is someone who would mesh well with the mission of the University. ”Zach is a very gifted coach who has certainly paid his dues as an assistant and helped HSU basketball compete at a very high level. We are honored to offer Zach the opportunity to lead our program and proud to have him join the McMurry University family.” Pickelman has the distinction of being involved in all eight ASC post-season tournament appearances in Hardin-Simmons school history, as either a player or a coach. In 2014-15, HSU was the ASC regular season co-champion. In 2011, Pickelman was an assistant coach for the D3Hoops.com All-Star team. The group played a series of games in London and Paris. Pickelman earned his bachelor’s degree in business Administration from HSU in 2007 and his master’s in sports management in 2009. ”I would first like to thank Dr. Harper, Sam Ferguson, and the Search Committee for entrusting me with the men’s basketball program at McMurry,” Pickelman said. “I am excited to lead War Hawks Basketball back into NCAA Division III and the American Southwest Conference. I’ve known about McMurry for a long time as a player and a coach and look forward to continuing the tradition of success here. ”I am looking forward to building relationships with the administration, alumni, supporters, and current players. Our program will produce quality student-athletes that will represent McMurry well, on and off the floor. I can’t wait to hit the ground running and start hanging more banners in Kimbrell Arena.”
http://www.mcmurrysports.com/news/2015/4/9/MBB_0409155942.aspx
Photo Courtesy of McMurry
