The following two seasons saw Valparaiso win its first Mid-Continent Conference (now Summit League) titles and advance to the NCAA Tournament each time, facing Purdue in 2003 and Kansas State in 2004.

In 2001-02, he led the Crusaders to a record of 26-7 and an appearance in their first-ever post-season tournament, defeating Michigan and Ball State in the Women's NIT before falling to Houston.įreeman was also a finalist for the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year Award that season. After serving as an assistant coach for four seasons, Freeman was named as associate head coach in June 2016.įreeman came to WSU after spending 18 years as the head coach at Valparaiso from 1994-2012 and compiled a record of 286-247, including four 20-win seasons. Ragland and his wife, Annie, have two children: Ava and Joshua.Veteran women's basketball coach Keith Freeman is in his fifth year on the Wright State staff. Following his sophomore year, he transferred to the University of Southern Indiana where he played for two seasons, propelling the Screaming Eagles to a total of 47 victories and leading the team in assists in both years. He began his collegiate career at Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, where his team went on to the NCAA Division II Final Four during his freshman year. Graduating from Harrison High School, Ragland was named an All-State Honorable Mention basketball player. Ragland opened his coaching career at Frank Phillips College where he was part of a squad that went 25-5 in 2004-05. The 2009-10 campaign saw them post a 22-10 mark and a run that took the program to the NJCAA District Tournament Finals. His first head coaching opportunity came at Vincennes University where he led the Trailblazers to a 44-19 record in his two years at the helm. He contributed to a 24-11 mark at NKU, which included an NCAA Tournament berth. Ragland was an assistant at Northern Kentucky (2015-16) and Bowling Green (2014-15) following his stint with the Sycamores. ISU recorded 80 victories along with four postseason appearances, including a spot in the NCAA Tournament in 2010-11. Highlighting the roster for VU was Horizon League Player of the Year Alec Peters, who was the 54th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.įrom 2010 through 2014, Ragland was an assistant coach at Indiana State where the Sycamores put forth one of the top stretches by a mid-major program in recent memory. During his first season with the program, the team accumulated 24 victories in 2016-17 while finishing with a Horizon League regular season championship and a spot in the postseason NIT. Ragland has worked at two current Missouri Valley Conference institutions, including a 2-year term at Valparaiso. From day one, I will work to establish a program that the entire University of Evansville campus community and the city of Evansville will be proud of. 'Growing up in the city, I understand what the Purple Aces program means to the community. Evansville is such a special place for my family and myself and the opportunity to come back to where it all started means the world,' Ragland exclaimed. Siegfried and President Pietruszkiewicz for putting their trust in me to lead this program. The Aggies made two NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure, while the 2019-20 squad posted a 26-8 mark before the postseason was canceled due to COVID-19.

Prior to his time with the Bulldogs, Ragland enjoyed a successful tenure at Utah State where his squads achieved at least 20 wins in each of his three seasons while finishing with an overall mark of 74-24. He joins the Evansville program following a 1-year stint as an assistant coach at Butler University. In a coaching career that has spanned nearly two decades, Ragland's experience has contributed to an impressive group of programs that includes Butler, Utah State, Valparaiso, Vincennes, Northern Kentucky, Bowling Green, Indiana State, and Frank Phillips College. 'David brings a wealth of experience that will help our program in every way, while his familiarity with the Evansville community will help to reengage our supporters.' It will be open to the public.Īs we moved through the search process for our new head men's basketball coach, David Ragland separated himself from the other candidates and established himself as the clear choice to lead our program,' Siegfried said. Kenneth 'Ziggy' Siegfried.Ī public introduction will take place on Wednesday, May 25 at 6 p.m. The announcement of the 8th Division I head coach in Purple Aces history was made by director of athletics Dr. – David Ragland has been named the 16th head men's basketball coach in University of Evansville history.

Valpo head basketball coach