FRANCIS MARION HOOPS COACH NAMED

FLORENCE, S.C. - Francis Marion athletic director Murray Hartzler announced on Wednesday, April 26 the hiring of Gary Edwards of Indiana (Pa.) as the university's new head coach for men's basketball. The announcement was made at a news conference at The Cottage on the FMU campus.

Edwards, 48, replaces John Schweitz, whose contract was not renewed following the 2005-06 season.

The Virginia Beach, Va., native comes to Francis Marion after 10 seasons as head coach at NCAA Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He guided the Indians to a 206-88 mark, including five 20-win campaigns, and four trips to the Division II national tournament. Under his guidance, IUP advanced to the Elite Eight twice (2000 and 2002) and participated in the 2002 Final Four. He is the winningest coach in the program's long history.

His career coaching mark stands at 389-256 in 22 seasons on the bench.Edwards returns to South Carolina, where he still ranks as the winningest coach at Division I Charleston Southern University. In nine seasons, he guided the Buccaneers to 121 wins. His 1995 CSU squad won the Big South Conference title, and he twice earned Big South Conference "Coach of theYear" honors.

He also previously coached at Barton College (then Atlantic Christian College), compiling a 62-35 mark in three seasons and leading the Bulldogs to two NAIA national tournament appearances.

Prior to his arrival, the Bulldogs had suffered through 19 consecutive losing seasons.

"We are extremely pleased to have Gary join our staff," Hartzler said. "Given his background at both the Division I and Division II levels, he became the right choice at the right time to lead our program. His career record speaks for itself, and we feel he possesses all the qualities we are looking for to run a complete program, both on and off the court."FMU president Dr. Fred Carter added, "In hiring a new coach, we focused on three key criteria: the necessity for achieving a winning program, recruiting and graduating student-athletes, and cultivating strong support within the community. We feel that Gary will be successful at all three of these."

Edwards received a B.A. degree in English (magna cum laude) from Virginia Wesleyan College, where he was recognized as an academic All-American on the basketball court in 1979. He later earned a master's degree from Old Dominion University.

His coaching career began in 1979 as an assistant varsity coach and head junior varsity coach at his alma mater, Virginia Wesleyan. He then served as an assistant coach at Hofstra University for two years before taking over the Barton program."In many ways, this is like coming home for me," Edwards said. "I am originally from the South, and have had many good experiences in South Carolina. I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to lead this program. Under Dr. Carter's leadership, some exciting things are in the offing, and I am anxious to do what I can to help the cause."

Edwards, who has two teenage children, becomes the sixth head coach in the 36-year history of the FMU men's basketball program.

Francis Marion returns seven lettermen, but no starters, from last season's 12-16 squad that placed eighth during the Peach Belt Conference regular season.

(Source Francis Marion Sports Information)

Additional coverage courtesy of d2basketball.com.