4/17/2009 Junior college national champion to lead Mustangs
Midwestern State Athletic Director Charlie Carr introduced Grant McCasland as the eighth men's basketball coach at Midwestern State University Friday afternoon. |
WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Grant McCasland was named the eighth men's basketball coach at Midwestern State University Friday afternoon. "Our family is thrilled and honored to come to Midwestern State," McCasland said. "I am thankful (President) Dr. (Jesse W.) Rogers and (Athletic Director) Mr. (Charlie) Carr for trusting me with the responsibility of leading a program with such a great tradition. I hope to continue that." If his track record as a five-year coach at Midland College is any indication, the Mustangs will be in good hands. McCasland led the Chaparrals to a National Junior College Athletic Association championship in 2007 and a national runner-up finish earlier this spring. Midland College has won at least 26 games in each of its season with McCasland at the helm while posting a 143-32 record and an .817 winning percentage. "We just felt like he was such a good fit for our program and what we are trying to do," Carr said. "He has a great passion for the game, and he came across as having a great passion for the kids in the meetings he had with them." McCasland led the Chaparrals to the NJCAA Elite Eight in all but two of his seasons at Midland College and earned numerous coaching honors as he was named NJCAA National and Texas Association of Basketball Coaches' Junior College Coach of the Year in his national championship season of 2007. He is a two-time NJCAA District Coach of the Year and earned Western Junior College Athletic Conference top coaching honors on two other occasions. McCasland, who is the first coaching hire from outside of the Midwestern State staff since Dr. Gerald Stockton accepted the position in 1970, steps into a rich basketball tradition at Midwestern State. MSU boasts 15 NAIA National Tournament appearances including a national runner-up showing in 1975 and four trips to the NAIA Final Four (1975, 1979, 1993, 1994). More recently, the Mustangs experienced great success under Jeff Ray, who vacated the position last month to become the full-time men's and women's golf coach. "Coach Ray is very highly regarded and it's an honor to follow him because he's done such a great job," McCasland said. "Having him on campus is a huge plus for the program." Ray compiled a 231-121 (.656) record in 12 seasons as the head coach at Midwestern. He lead his teams to four Lone Star Conference championships earning a berth in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional in each of those seasons (1998-99, 1999-2000, 2006-07, 2008-09). The Mustangs posted win streaks of 11 and nine games this season for the program's fouth LSC title and fell in the second round of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional to host Central Missouri. McCasland also earned the reputation for developing great individual talents as he has sent 19 players to NCAA Division I programs and had a player selected in the NBA draft. During his tenure Midland College, McCasland coached two NJCAA All-Americans, a national tournament MVP, 10 NJCAA All-Region V selections, a WJCAC MVP and 14 All-WJCAC first-team performers. "The people at MSU really sold me and my family on coming to Wichita Falls," McCasland said. "I'm ready to hit the ground running." Full PDF Release What others say about McCaslandUniversity of Virginia Head Coach Tony Bennett "What a great hire for Midwestern State. Grant McCasland is the complete package. He is a great coach and recruiter and a man of tremendous character. His players will love playing for him. He's one of the best out there and respected by everyone in the basketball world." Former Texas Tech Head Coach James Dickey “Grant is a great young coach, a rising star in the profession. He’s a wonderful family man, a tireless worker, a great communicator and recruiter. He loves the game, is dedicated and loyal to his players and staff and will be to Midwestern.” Midland College Athletics Director Forrest Allen “His coaching accomplisments speaks for itself, but MSU is getting much more than that. You couldn’t ask for a better pick. He is hard working, dedicated and is a great communicator. He’s such a quality person. We’re very proud of him and happy he’s going to a good place. Grant is going to do an incredible job not only with the basketball program, but in the community. MSU is going to love the McCasland family.” Former Abilene Christian and Midland College Head Coach Shanon Hays "Grant is a high energy coach and a tenacious recruiter. He's a coach who makes the game fun for us players. Guys just want to play for him. He's a true leader." Former Midwestern State Head Coach Jeff Ray “Grant is a great coach and has done a great job at Midland and he will do the same at Midwestern. I think a lot of him as a person and as a coach.” Gonzaga University Assistant Coach Tommy Lloyd “Grant is a top-notch person and family man. On the floor, he’s an incredible coach and superb communicator. My only regret is that he’s now with Midwestern instead of on the staff at Gonzaga.” | 
