OFFICIAL: Reggie Theus named athletic director, head coach at Bethune-Cookman

Bethune-Cookman announced Wednesday the hiring of former NBA player and collegiate head coach Reggie Theus as the school’s new athletic director and head men’s basketball coach. Theus has been the head coach at both New Mexico State and Cal State Northridge, and also coached the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, NBDL’s Los Angeles D-Fenders and Bivouac in the BIG3.

“The Wildcats could not be any more excited about Reggie Theus taking the lead,” Interim President Hiram Powell said in a release. “We have a respected and beloved athletic program with a remarkable legacy, and like our peer institutions, our programs have been disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Having Reggie launch our new season and directing the future of our athletes will take us to the next level.”

After a fifteen-year playing career, the two-time NBA All-Star got started in coaching in 2003 as an assistant under Rick Pitino at Louisville and was part of the Cardinals’ 2005 Final Four team. He was then hired by New Mexico State, going 41-23 in two seasons and reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2007. He was hired away by the Sacramento Kings that same year and although his sole year there was rough, he stayed in the pro game as an assistant with the Minnesota Timberwolves for two seasons and the head coach of the D-Fenders (now the South Bay Lakers) for one year.

“I’ve had the great fortune of working in both professional and college sports most of my career, and being presented the opportunity to lead B-CU’s athletic department is another dream being fulfilled,” Theus said. “Becoming part of the family and culture of such a respected HBCU is the chance of a lifetime. I am eager to share my professional sports experiences to take the Wildcats even further. I look forward to every moment of this new role.”

Theus was most recently the head coach at Cal State Northridge, where he officially went 44-105 in five seasons at the helm.

This will be his first foray into administration, taking the dual AD/head coach role for a program entering its first season as a member of the SWAC after spending the last 42 years in the MEAC.

credit to Jae C. Hong/AP for the photo