Lundy fired after 9-21 mark
Posted by Bryan Rothamel on March 10, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Only six days after the season ended, Bart Lundy has been dismissed as head coach of the men’s basketball program.
“Our desire and commitment to build a successful and championship-caliber basketball program are very strong,” said athletic director Craig Keilitz in a press release on www.highpointpanthers.com.
This past year HPU went 9-21, marking the second time in program history losing more than 20 games. In Lundy’s six years, the Panthers compiled a record of 96-87 overall and 48-46 in Big South play.
Reached by phone Tuesday, Gene Harris said, “We didn’t think this was going to happen at all.”
Lundy told the High Point Enterprise the move was “a surprise.” Returning next year are the team’s top nine scorers including Harris, Cruz Daniels and Big South All-Freshmen team member Nick Barbour.
The Panthers also expect to see redshirt freshman Corey Law and signed recruit Jairus Simms.
Harris also said, “(Lundy) really cared for his players on the court and especially off the court. It is a tough time for me right now and I know for a lot of the players.”
Lundy’s HPU-era started in 2003-04, finishing 19-11 and an appearance in the Big South Tournament Championship game. That year he was named National Rookie Coach of the Year by www.collegeinsider.com. The highlight of Lundy’s tenure came in the 2006-07 season going 22-10 and finishing second in the Big South.
Under Lundy’s guidance, the Panthers have had three players reach 1000 points while Harris is nine points away. Also, Arizona Reid and Danny Gathings earned three Big South Players of the Year awards combined. Both are HPU’s only NCAA Division I AP All-Americans. Gathings was named 2004 NCAA Division I National Sportsman of the Year.
Lundy previously coached at Queens and was an assistant at Queens and Winthrop.
Harris added, “I wish the best for coach Lundy, definitely. It is a tough time right now.”
Triad rival, Elon also made a coaching change yesterday firing Ernie Nestor. Both coaches were hired April 2003 and dismissed the same day.
Related posts:
