Since having the interim tag removed from his title Lamar head basketball coach Tic Price has been busy getting his team ready for the 2014-15 season. That work has consisted of recruiting and putting together a coaching staff. Part of that work was completed Wednesday when Price announced the hiring of Anthony Anderson, Robert Kummer and Antonio Madlock as assistant coaches.
"I feel a sense of relief, but also I’m thrilled to be able to bring in the caliber of coaches that we have been able to put together," said Price. "These guys bring a ton of experience to Lamar, and are well respected among their peers. We are very fortunate to be able to put together a staff of this magnitude."
The new staff brings with them nearly 60 years of coaching experience from several conferences across the nation. Between the three of them, they have worked in the Atlantic Coast, Atlantic 10, Big 12, Conference USA, Mountain West, Southeastern, Southern, Southland and Sun Belt Conferences.
Anderson comes to Beaumont with 20 years of coaching experience, including 14 years at the NCAA Division I level, where he has been recognized for recruiting some of the nation’s top talent. The previous two seasons, Anderson has served as the head coach at St. Paul High School, as well as founding and coaching the Louisiana Bluechips and Lady Bluechips basketball organizations. Prior to his time at the high school ranks, Anderson served one season as an assistant to NBA Hall of Famer, Isiah Thomas at Florida International. Anderson brought added recognition to the university when he helped sign the nation’s 30th-ranked recruiting class.
A former NCAA Public Recognition Award recipient during a two-year stint at SMU, Anderson has left a paper trail of success throughout his career having spent time at Miami, Texas-Arlington, Tulane, New Orleans and McNeese, in addition to his time in Dallas. During his two seasons with the Hurricanes, Anderson assembled a top-10 recruiting class according to Street & Smith’s Magazine. In addition to his talents as a recruiter, Anderson helped develop future NBA players Guillermo Diaz and Robert Hite.
Kummer comes to Lamar after spending the previous four seasons at Appalachian State, including three as the associate head coach. During his time with the Mountaineers, Kummer was responsible for off-campus recruiting which included both in-state athletes as well as recruiting nationally. Kummer helped produce four All-Southern Conference selections, including the 2013 SoCon Defensive Player of the Year and six players who went on to sign professional contracts.
Kummer went to Appalachian State from UNC-Charlotte where he spent six seasons as an assistant with the 49ers. During his time with the 49ers, Kummer helped coach 11 all-conference selections, 17 players who went on to play professionally and 2006 John Wooden Award finalist Curtis Withers. His 2006 and 2007 recruiting classes ranked among the top 15 in the nation (according to Hoop Scoop Online). The 49ers also made three postseason appearances during that stretch, including a berth in the 2005 NCAA Championships.
Kummer received his start in college coaching at UNC-Charlotte in 1996 and spent two years in Charlotte before taking an assistant position at Texas A&M. During his six years in College Station, Kummer brought in some of the best talent in program history signing two top-20 classes. Twelve of those signees would eventually go on to sign professional contracts.
Madlock has spent the past 20 years coaching the game of basketball, including 17 at the NCAA Division I level. Madlock’s arrival at Lamar comes after a four-year stop at Auburn where helped sign two top-40 recruiting classes, including a 2012 class that was ranked in the top 25, as well as being ranked in the top three in the Southeastern Conference.
Madlock arrived in Auburn after serving as an assistant at UTEP. During Madlock’s time in El Paso, the Miners averaged 20 wins per season and made three postseason appearances, including a berth in the 2010 NCAA tournament. Madlock’s efforts helped produce a C-USA Player of the Year, 6th Man of the Year, two C-USA All-Freshman selections and a first-team selection and one 19 and Under Team USA participant.
Madlock got his start in 1994 in the high school ranks as an assistant coach at Melrose High School, before taking an assistant coaching position at Arkansas State. Madlock was with the Red Wolves for three seasons before being promoted to associate head coach for his final six seasons.
"I went looking for guys who were experienced and knew their way around the deep south," said Price. "I also wanted some guys who have been in some high profile programs and have a good-eye for talent, but also understand that we have to recruit at a higher level to be successful. All three are well rounded guys who are tireless recruiters."
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