After serving as the interim coach since June 12th, Jeff Tungate has been named head coach for the Oakland women’s basketball team, announced by Director of Athletics Tracy Huth on Tuesday. Tungate spent the last six seasons as the associate head coach for the men’s basketball program and has signed a multi-year contract to now lead the women’s program.
"As an alumnus and longtime staff member, Jeff is a valued member of our community," said Huth. "He understands our mission and core values, is committed to the student-athlete experience, is an excellent teacher, and is passionate about Oakland University. I believe Jeff possesses the knowledge, character and integrity that is vital in leading our women’s basketball program. It’s important to us that the student-athlete members of the team have endorsed his selection as the head coach. My experience as a long time member of the Oakland community, former women’s program coach, and administrator tells me that Jeff is the right person to lead this team. This is a proud day for Oakland Athletics."
Tungate spent seven seasons overall with the men’s basketball program, guiding the Golden Grizzlies to five consecutive postseason appearances. He was named an honorable mention honoree on CollegeInsider.com Top 25 Mid-Major Assistants in 2010 and worked directly with Oakland’s first NBA draft pick Keith Benson, who was selected 48th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2011. A total of six players that Tungate has tutored during his time are currently playing professional basketball.
"I am very honored and humbled to be named the head women’s basketball coach at Oakland University," said Tungate. "Oakland is a storied program with great tradition. I appreciate Tracy Huth and Dr. Betty Youngblood’s confidence in me to build upon that tradition and move this program forward.
"This is a very special group of young ladies and I look forward to getting to work," said Tungate.
Prior to his return to Oakland, Tungate spent two seasons as the associate head coach at IPFW under Dane Fife from 2005-07, helping the Mastodons to the best season in program history at that time. Tungate worked previously at OU during the 2004-05 season that saw the men’s team win The Summit League tournament as the No. 7 seed and advanced to their first NCAA tournament since becoming eligible for Division I postseason play in 2002-03. The Golden Grizzlies won the opening round game over Alabama A&M, 79-69, before losing to eventual national champion and top-seed North Carolina, 96-68.
Tungate spent five seasons as head coach of Lincoln Memorial University (Division II) located in Harrogate, Tenn., from 1999-2004. He led the Railsplitters to their best finish in the conference tournament and tied for a program-best 19 wins since moving up to Division II. He also tutored two Gulf South Conference Players of the Year and had a player make all-conference first team in four out of his five years at the helm.
Tungate graduated from Oakland in 1993 with a degree in English. During his time at OU he played on the baseball team where he earned Preseason All-America honors in 1992 and continues to hold the school record for longest hitting streak at 20 games.
