By Stretch Jenkinson
HOUSTON – HCU has made the decision to not renew the contract of Ron Cottrell, James Sears Bryant Head Men’s Basketball Coach, following the end of the 2023-24 basketball season and will begin the search for a new head coach immediately.
“We are grateful for the many traditions of excellence embodied in the Ron Cottrell era of HCU basketball,” said HCU President Robert B. Sloan. “Ron is one of the winningest coaches currently in college basketball and has been the leader of our program for many championships and great victories. He is also a molder of young men, and we will forever be grateful for his 34 years of service.”
“Houston Christian University, it’s athletes, friends and followers will be forever grateful or the career that Coach Cottrell has had here.” added Director of Athletics Steve Moniaci. “He has impacted the lives of countless athletes in his role not just as basketball coach, but also as long-time athletic director for the past 34 years. We are truly indebted to him for his service, and we wish him and his family nothing but the best. He, and they, will always be a part of the fabric of HCU athletics.”
Cottrell restarted the basketball program at HCU in the fall of 1990 and this past season, his 33rd, was the second-longest tenured coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball behind only Oakland’s Greg Kampe. In addition to restarting the program from scratch in 1990, he led the program from the NAIA ranks to NCAA Division I in 2007.
He amassed 524 career wins at the helm of the Huskies’ program and won nine consecutive Red River Athletic Conference championships while making the NAIA national tournament 10 times. Cottrell coached 20 all-Americans during his tenure and oversaw a program with a graduation rate of over 85 percent.
In addition to his duties on the court, Cottrell served as the school’s athletic director for 15 years. In that time, HCU’s athletic teams won eight Red River Athletic Conference all-sports awards in nine years with 42 combined conference championships.
STATEMENT FROM RON COTTRELL
In the fall of 1990 at the age of 29, I accepted the position of head basketball coach at HBU. My family, my assistants, and I poured our hearts and souls into this program and the young men we were fortunate enough to lead over the past 33 years.
I will forever be indebted to, and grateful for, the terrific group of young men and their families who chose to be a part of our program throughout my time as a Husky. Being “your coach” always was one of the greatest honors of my life. I love you guys!
A special thank you to my assistant coaches and their families for their loyalty, hard work, and many sacrifices.
And, thank you to all of the friends, alumni, and colleagues I worked with, and who supported us, during our time here.
My 15 years as athletic director was also a special time, working together with amazing coaches of other sports, while enjoying great achievements for Husky athletics and ushering us back to the NCAA Division I ranks.
This university will always hold a special place in my, and Jacque’s, hearts and memories, as well as our daughters, Scottlyn and Sydney-Anne who grew up on this campus with Scottlyn earning two degrees here.
Now I am looking forward to wherever the Lord leads Jacque and me, pursuing exciting new opportunities with people who appreciate and support our tireless commitment and effort.
COURTESY HOUSTON CHRISTIAN ATHLETICS
