CUNNINGHAM ADDS WHITTEN TO STAFF
7-5-05
RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University third-year head coach Beth Cunningham has announced that Bryan Whitten (pictured) will join the Rams this season as an assistant coach. Whitten previously served as the head coach at NCAA Division III King’s College for 12 years.
"I am thrilled Bryan is joining the VCU basketball staff,” explained Cunningham. “He is a proven winner, having built King's College women's basketball into a perennial Top-15 program. He brings the experience, the ambition, and the drive that will continue to help build VCU women's basketball."
Whitten signed on during the 1993-94 season with King’s, where he took a struggling program and quickly established it as a perennial powerhouse. Following his tough rookie campaign, Whitten proceeded to earn 11-consecutive invitations to the Middle Atlantic/Freedom Conference playoffs, while registering 10-straight winning seasons. In his 12 years with the Lady Monarchs, he posted a 220-103 career record, captured two MAC Freedom Conference titles, and made four trips to the NCAA Division III National Tournament from 2000-2003.
During his tenure Whitten’s players have garnered 23 all-conference nods, earned five conference most valuable player awards, and been the recipients of 14 Division III All-American citations. Whitten was a five-time MAC Freedom Coach of the Year”, receiving the prestigious honor in 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, and 2002. Whitten’s best season at King’s came during the 2002 campaign when the Lady Monarchs compiled a 25-4 overall record and was one-win shy of reaching the Division III Final Four.
In his final season, Whitten’s squad put together an impressive 22-4 overall mark and ranked 15th in the final Division III national rankings. The Lady Monarchs did not receive an at-large bid to the national tournament, after dropping a heartbreaking 47-41 lost to DeSales in the semifinals of the league tournament.
"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to join the VCU family, Coach Cunningham, the staff and the team members,” commented Whitten. "Everyone that I have met has welcomed me with open arms. Coaching basketball at the Division I level has always been a dream of mine and that has now become a reality. Beth has done a tremendous job building the program and I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience and being part of something special at VCU."
Whitten, a 1992 graduate of King’s College, also played men’s basketball at the institution.
VCU finished the 2004-05 campaign with an 11-18 overall record and a 6-12 mark in Colonial Athletic Association play. The Rams will return two starters among seven letterwinners this season, with the much-anticipated debut of 16-year-old redshirt freshman Quanitra Hollingsworth and St. Bonaventure-transfer Stephanie Merlo.
Whitten at King's, 1994-2005 (220-103)
Year..........Record...Post-Season
1993-94.....3-21.......None
1994-95.....12-13.....Middle Atlantic Conference Playoffs
1995-96.....14-11.....Middle Atlantic Conference Playoffs
1996-97.....17-10.....Middle Atlantic Conference Playoffs
1997-98.....23-5.......ECAC South Champions
1998-99.....18-9.......Middle Atlantic Conference Semi-Finals
1999-00.....24-6.......Freedom Conference Playoff Semi-Finals; NCAA "Sweet 16"
2000-01.....19-7.......Freedom Conference Champions; NCAA Second Round
2001-02.....25-4.......Freedom Conference Playoff Semi-Finals; NCAA "Elite Eight"
2002-03.....24-4.......Freedom Conference Champions; NCAA "Sweet 16"
2003-04.....19-9.......Freedom Conference Runner-up
2004-05.....22-4.......Freedom Conference Playoff Semi-Finals |
