Former associate head coach helped lead Richmond to two NCAA Tourney berths, one Sweet 16
BUIES CREEK — For the last eight years, Kevin McGeehan has been the right-hand man for Richmond University head coach Chris Mooney, helping guide the Spiders to two NCAA tournaments and one appearance in the Sweet 16.
Mooney was in the audience Thursday to support McGeehan — his friend and colleague — as he takes the next big step in his coaching career, head men’s basketball coach at Campbell University.
“I am excited and honored to take this program to the next level,” McGeehan said before a packed crowd of supporters Campbell administration and faculty and players in the lobby of the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center Thursday. “This is a beautiful campus and a beautiful arena … it’s going to be an exciting place to watch basketball. And we’re going to do some incredible things here.”
Prior to the 2008-09 campaign at Richmond, McGeehan was promoted from assistant coach to associate head coach. Among the highlights for the Richmond program during McGeehan’s time on staff was consecutive NCAA tournament berths, including a trip to the 2011 NCAA Sweet 16. The Spiders were ranked in the national top-25 polls in 2010 and set a school record with 29 victories one year later when they won the Atlantic-10 Conference championship.
McGeehan assumes control over a program that has called the 3,095-seat Gore Arena inside the Pope Convocation Center home since November 2008. Over the last five years, the Camels have amassed a 48-24 (.667) record at home.
“As you move through your career, you look for opportunities that fit. I felt like I was ready to move on, and Campbell University was the perfect fit for me,” McGeehan said. “I couldn’t think of another school that was a more perfect fit.”
He said he did his research on the program and the school prior to interviewing for the position, and he instantly viewed Campbell as a school and program on the rise. After his first meeting with Athletic Director Bob Roller, McGeehan said he was hooked.
“[My wife] Melissa and I have been overwhelmed with the kindness of every person we have met and are excited to add our family to this Campbell family,” he said. “I feel like we have a formula for success right here.”
Roller said he received more than a few dozen serious applications for the job after the school cut ties with former head coach Robbie Laing after the 2012-13 season. He said when it came to McGeehan, there was always one constant comment from those who knew him — he is a true basketball coach and teacher.
“Kevin has been a part of building programs at all levels since the mid-1990s, and he is extremely well positioned to take Campbell Basketball where our alumni, student body, and supporters want to go,” Roller said.
McGeehan will take over a team that returns nine of its top 10 scorers and rebounders from 2012-13, when the Camels finished 13-20 overall and third in the Big South Conference North Division (7-9). Among the returning players are all-conference point guard Trey Freeman and rising senior power forward Marvelle Harris.
McGEEHAN’S CAREER
Teamed with Mooney since the mid-90s, McGeehan has played a vital role in the resurgence of the basketball fortunes at the Air Force Academy and Richmond.
The two men started coaching together at Lansdale Catholic High School in the mid 1990’s, before moving to Beaver College (now Arcadia University). When Mooney left Beaver College to go to Air Force, McGeehan took over the head coaching duties for two years before moving to Springfield High School in Erdenheim, Pa., where he was also a guidance counselor.
After Mooney became the head coach at Air Force in 2004-05, McGeehan joined him Colorado Springs. He helped lead Air Force to an 18-12 overall record in 2004-05, which marked the second most wins in school history. The Falcons led the entire nation in scoring defense and finished second in the country in fewest turnovers per game in 2004-05.
In McGeehan’s third year at Richmond, the Spiders began a string of four-straight 20-win seasons and postseason appearances. Over the past three seasons, Richmond owns nine victories over BCS conference teams, including five during 2010-11 and a victory over Wake Forest last December. In addition, Richmond has won eight of its last 14 games against ranked opponents, most recently an 86-74 overtime triumph on Jan. 24 against No.-16 Virginia Commonwealth.
Richmond won a school-record 26 games in 2009-10, finished 13-3 in the Atlantic 10, reached the A-10 title game and received an at-large bid as a No.-7 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Spiders broke that school record for wins in 2010-11 finishing 29-8 and 13-3 in A-10 play, advancing to the title game for the second-straight year and coming away with its first A-10 Championship in 10 years in the league.
The Spiders defeated No. 25-ranked Vanderbilt and Morehead State to reach the 2011 Sweet 16. Richmond’s recent success has also included a 40-15 record against Atlantic 10 teams in the last three years, tournament victories in the South Padre Island Invitational (wins over Missouri and Mississippi State), the Chicago Invitational Challenge, defeating No.-8 Purdue in the title game, and the Orange Bowl Classic, defeating No.-13 Florida.
A 1995 graduate of Gettysburg, McGeehan was the captain of the men’s basketball team his senior season. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and then earned a dual master’s degree in secondary and higher education and counseling from West Chester in 1999.
In addition to being the head coach at Beaver College and Springfield High School, McGeehan has been director of Summer Basketball Camps for Upper Dublin Township, Springfield Township and Beaver College.
McGeehan, 39, and his wife Melissa were married in 2004 and have two sons, Jack and Connor, and a daughter Grace.
Kevin McGeehan’s Collegiate Coaching History
Head Coach, Campbell, 2013-present
Associate Head Coach, Richmond, 2008-2013
Assistant Coach, Richmond, 2005-08
Assistant Coach, Air Force, 2004-05
Head Coach, Springfield High, 2002-04
Head Coach, Beaver College, 2000-02
Assistant Coach, Beaver College, 1998-00
What They’re Saying about Kevin McGeehan
“Kevin is an outstanding coach who excels in so many critical areas. His ability to communicate with players, recruits, coaches and administrators is outstanding. He possesses a tremendous sense for the overall management of a college basketball program.”
Chris Mooney, Richmond Head Coach
“Kevin is one of the bright young coaches in our profession. He understands the game, he is a good teacher, he relates well to his players, and he has played an important role in Richmond’s success. Someone will look really smart when they hire him has their head coach.”
Fran Dunphy, Temple Head Coach
“Coach is very intense, he challenged me to get better every day, whether it was my shooting, defense, or becoming a leader for the team. He has great attention to detail and was never afraid to tell me my mistakes or compliment me on the good. He is also a great players’ coach – easy to talk to, listens and understands players’ ideas and points of view.”
Kevin Anderson, Richmond (’11) Guard, 2010 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year