Sooner Athletic Conference

OCU Names Wade New Men's Basketball Coach

Posted by Rich Tortorelli - Thu, Apr 10, 2008 - [ Men's Basketball ] - Viewed 233 times

Tommy Wade

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University has named Tommy Wade its head men's basketball coach following the resignation of coach Ray Harper.

Wade aided the Stars' run to three consecutive NAIA Division I championship games and the past two national championships. Wade was associate head coach last season and assistant coach to Harper for the past nine years.

With Wade's assistance, Harper guided OCU to a 95-17 record, three NAIA national title games, three Sooner Athletic Conference championships and two SAC Tournament titles. The Stars had six all-Americans the past three seasons, including NAIA player of the year Ollie Bailey and two-time NAIA Tournament most valuable player Kameron Gray.

OCU has won six national championships, the most in NAIA Division I men's basketball.

"We're pleased to announce Tommy Wade as the new coach for our tradition-rich men's basketball program," OCU President Tom J. McDaniel said. "He has proven himself by having a large hand in our success these past three years and by his track record of being a part of several championship programs over the years."

Wade, 50, has coached as an assistant at Kentucky Wesleyan, Missouri State, Murray State, South Alabama and St. Catherine College (N.Y.). Wade helped Kentucky Wesleyan reach four NCAA Division II championship games, win three regular-season conference titles, three conference tournament titles and post four 30-win seasons in six seasons.

"Tommy Wade had a hands-on role in the recent success we've enjoyed," OCU athletic director Jim Abbott said. "I have every confidence in his ability as a coach. He has been particularly effective in recruiting, game preparation and in-game strategy.

"He has enjoyed success at every level of basketball. Tommy has a contagious enthusiasm, and we're very excited about what he brings to our program. The OCU program has been the top program in the NAIA, and he will strive to keep it there."

Wade has been a part of three NCAA Tournament teams. At South Alabama, Wade aided in winning two Sun Belt Conference championships and two NCAA Tournament berths working for Bill Musselman, who coached in the NBA, and Bob Weltich. Wade was also part of an Ohio Valley Conference team at Murray State.

Wade began his coaching career at Hopkinsville University Heights Academy (Ky.), where he directed the team to the Class A state championship in 1991.

"I've worked for this opportunity for a long time," Wade said. "As a coach, you always want to run your own program. I have an opportunity to do it at a high level, at a tremendous institution and at the premier program in the country in the NAIA.

"I'm well prepared because of my experience with Ray Harper with his formula for success. What he has accomplished may never be matched. With Ray, I worked for an outstanding coach and a great person. I'm well connected, and I've been around winning programs at every level."

Harper left OCU to pursue other coaching opportunities. He was named NAIA Division I coach of the year by the NAIA and the National Association of Basketball Coaches this past season and SAC coach of the year three times.

"Ray Harper is one of the truly special coaches in America today, and he did nothing short of a terrific job for Oklahoma City University," McDaniel said. "We wish him all the best in his endeavors."

For his career, Harper has a 342-63 record in 12 seasons as a head coach. Harper has coached in nine national championship games, winning four championships. He led Kentucky Wesleyan to NCAA Division II crowns in 1999 and 2001.

"We're more than satisfied with the work he did at OCU," Abbott said. "We're sorry to see him leave, but support him in his decision. He will surely enjoy success wherever he goes."

Harper was the winningest active coach in NCAA Division II when he left Kentucky Wesleyan. He set an NCAA record by reaching 30 wins for six consecutive seasons.

"Oklahoma City was a great place to work for three years," said Harper. "You couldn't ask for a better administration and better people to work with. There are great people at the university and Oklahoma City's just a great place to live.

"Tommy is the right man for the job. I knew I could trust him with a great deal as my assistant coach. With him, the system is in place, and Oklahoma City University will have success with him as their head coach."