Radford University officials introduced Mike McGuire on Wednesday, April 24 as the Highlanders’ seventh NCAA head women’s basketball coach in program history.
“We are extremely excited to have Mike McGuire join the Radford University family,” Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg said. “Mike has very strong relationships with high school coaches and AAU coaches in the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as nationally, which is crucial in the recruiting process. He has also been a very successful high school coach winning back-to-back State Championships at nearby Hidden Valley High School. This experience along with his five years as an assistant coach at Richmond in the Atlantic 10 Conference makes him an excellent fit for the Radford University women’s basketball program.”
McGuire spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Richmond where he helped lead the Spiders to five straight postseason berths and a 101-60 overall record. For the second consecutive season in 2012-13, Florida Basketball Magazine named McGuire one of the top assistant coaches in the nation, and at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, National Basketball Insider recognized him as one of the Top-14 Mid-Major assistant coaches in the country.
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be the new head women’s basketball coach at Radford University,” McGuire expressed. “My passion for coaching, teaching and leading young people started 16 years ago in the Roanoke Valley. To have the opportunity to come back to the area, to work for Radford University and to get this program going in a positive direction is a special opportunity for me.”
The Spiders posted three 20-win seasons during his tenure, including an appearance in the Atlantic 10 Tournament championship game in 2009.
At Richmond, McGuire served as the scouting coordinator. He was also charged with scheduling and the recruitment and the development of post players in the program. He also served as the academic mentor for perimeter players.
Prior to his move to Richmond, McGuire led Hidden Valley High School (Roanoke, Va.) to back-to-back Virginia Group AA state basketball titles in 2007 and 2008. He posted a 55-5 overall record while leading the Titans.
In those two seasons, McGuire twice earned Virginia Group AA State Coach of the Year, Regional Coach of the Year, and River Ridge District Coach of the Year honors.
Previous to his four years at Hidden Valley, McGuire served as the head coach at his alma mater, William Byrd High School (Vinton, Va.). During his tenure, he compiled a 50-47 overall record and led the Terriers to their first regional postseason berth in seven years.
In six years as a head coach at the high school level, McGuire accumulated a 105-52 record.
McGuire is a 2000 graduate of Roanoke College where he spent one season after matriculating as the assistant coach for the men’s basketball program. In that role, he served as the recruiting coordinator and junior varsity head coach. The Maroons posted a 17-10 record in his only season as an assistant.
“I want to thank President Kyle, Robert Lineburg, the search committee, Dr. Dore, and all the athletics staff members I had a chance to talk with last week on my visit,” McGuire said. “I left here last Wednesday wanting this job. I could feel the passion, I could feel how special the people are here and what they want to do with this athletics department. I think there are a lot of great things going on here.”
McGuire inherits nine returnees off a squad that finished 16-14 overall and 9-9 in Big South play. The Highlanders earned the sixth seed for the 2013 VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Women’s Basketball Tournament and advanced to the semifinals for the second straight year.
