University of South Carolina Aiken Athletic Director Randy Warrick is pleased to announce the hiring of Mark Vanderslice as the head men’s basketball coach.
“We had four outstanding candidates on campus and it was a tough decision, but Mark Vanderslice was the best fit for USC Aiken,” Warrick stated.
“Mark is a proven winner every place he has been,” Warrick said. “He was energetic and enthusiastic about the position. There is no doubt Mark will come in and do a great job for us. He will do well at USC Aiken and will be a great fit in the community.”
“I’m ready to hit the ground running,” Vanderslice stated. “I’m extremely excited to be part of such a great tradition that USC Aiken has. I’m ready to build off the success that USC Aiken has had and I look forward to coaching in the Peach Belt Conference.
“I’d like to thank Dr. Jordan and Randy Warrick for the opportunity, in addition to the administrators and staff that were a part of the process. I am grateful to be a part of something special that USC Aiken has built. I am fortunate and blessed to get to work with an institution that places high regards on integrity and strong values.”
Vanderslice comes to USC Aiken after spending the last five years as the head coach at Louisburg Junior College in Louisburg, NC. He guided his team to a 152-20 record, including a 94-11 mark during conference play. Vanderslice led his program to a top-eight finish in the final national polls each season. During the 2012-13 season his team posted a 35-2 record, the most wins in school history and finished No. 1 in the final national polls.
During the 2010-11 campaign, he guided the program to a 21-0 mark during the conference portion of the schedule while coaching NJCAA first-team All-American Jeremy Atkinson.
Vanderslice coached 15 all-conference student-athletes and was the District 15 Coach of the Year three times. His team won five straight regular-season conference championships and notched three straight tournament championships.
Prior to his arrival at Louisburg Junior College, Vanderslice was an assistant coach at Furman from 2008-10. He was in charge of recruiting and scouted all opponents. Vanderslice was responsible for scouting reports and film breakdown for players. He also conducted individual workouts for his players.
Vanderslice was at Toledo from 2004-08. He was the Head of Basketball Operations from 2004-06 prior to serving as an assistant coach from 2006-08. He was responsible for recruiting and scouting opponents. He signed multiple three-star athletes during his time. Vanderslice helped guide the program to two West Division titles and the 2007 MAC title with a 14-2 mark. He also ran Toledo’s Team Basketball Camps. Vanderslice advised, tutored and monitored players with individual classes, helping the team have the No. 3 APR among Division I schools.
He was at Heidelberg from 2002-04 as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Vanderslice helped land the No. 1 recruiting class in the OAC during his second season. He conducted individual workouts for his players and assisted with practice while also assisting with in-game decisions and adjustments.
From 2000-02, Vanderslice was the Head of Basketball Operations at UNC Asheville. He was in charge of all student assistants and their jobs. Vanderslice prepared practice arrangements at home sites and managed all facets of exchanging DVD’s and videos of opponents’ game film. He produced team highlight tapes for recruits and assessed player profiles of potential recruits.
Vanderslice earned his bachelor of science in business administration in 2002 from UNC Asheville where he was a member of the men’s basketball program. He earned his MBA from Heidelberg in 2004.
http://www.pacersports.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/releases/0720Vanderslice
