Gardner-Webb names Holtmann as new coach
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. -- Not much has gone right for Gardner-Webb since its stunning upset of Kentucky in 2007.
One of the men on the bench for that game -- and who was a part of one of the biggest NCAA tournament upsets this year -- will try to get the program back on track.
Gardner-Webb announced on Thursday that Ohio assistant Chris Holtmann will take over as coach. He replaces Rick Scruggs, who was fired last month after 15 seasons.
Holtmann, 38, spent five years as an assistant at Gardner-Webb under Scruggs from 2003-08, which included the Runnin' Bulldogs win at Rupp Arena. Holtmann then left for Ohio, and last month the Bobcats upset No. 3 seed Georgetown in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
"Chris presented to us a passionate, broad vision and an attainable plan for success for the program and the young men he will coach and mentor," Gardner-Webb athletic director Chuck Burch said. "We are pleased to appoint him as the driving force behind a bright, new era in Gardner-Webb basketball."
Holtmann will take over a Big South program that has struggled. The Runnin' Bulldogs went 8-21 last season and didn't qualify for the conference tournament with a 5-13 league mark.
Gardner-Webb was 13-17 in the 2008-09 season.
"This has been a tremendously humbling, yet thrilling experience, and I am honored to earn the title of head basketball coach here at Gardner-Webb University," Holtmann said.
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