King University has removed the interim designation for Michael Phelps, naming him the head women’s basketball coach on a permanent basis, as announced by director of athletics David Hicks.
“Michael stepped in and did a remarkable job this season leading our women’s basketball program,” said Hicks. “The team persevered through a lot of adversity this season, and Michael proved throughout the season he was the right leader for our program.”
The Tornado started the season strong, winning seven of their first 10 games, before enduring a challenging stretch in the middle of the season that saw the team go 32 days without playing a game, because of Covid-19 and weather-related cancellations.
Nonetheless, Phelps led the team to a 13-13 record and 12-10 finish in Conference Carolinas. In the second round of the Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Championship, King dropped an 87-84 decision to eventual runner-up Francis Marion University, in a game that saw the Tornado battle back from a 15-point third quarter deficit to tie the game with under 2:00 remaining.
Phelps was named interim head coach in August, following the resignation of Josh Thompson.
“Stepping in a week before classes started presented a lot of challenges for Michael and the team,” Hicks continued. “Michael worked tirelessly on behalf of the team, and the players responded. Given the circumstances, the season could have gone very differently if not for his leadership, and the leadership of our seniors.”
“First, I would like to say thank you to my Lord Jesus Christ for blessing me with this opportunity,” Phelps said. “And to my wife Kiana Phelps, my children, and all my family, thank you. I am extremely grateful for all the sacrifices that you made to help me receive this head coaching position.”
Prior to this year, Phelps spent three seasons as an assistant for the King men’s basketball program, where he was a part of a Conference Carolinas championship in 2019-20. He graduated from Henderson State University, where he was a member of the men’s basketball team and helped lead the team to an NCAA Tournament.
“I would also like to say thank you to Coach Knight and my players for their incredible commitment and unwavering effort for this past season,” Phelps continued. “As I look forward to the future of the program here at King University. I will continue to build relationships on and off campus. The support the team received throughout the season from our faculty representative, Keri-Lynn Paulson, our administration, and others in the community has been refreshing to see.”
Phelps becomes just the 10th head coach in program history, and second in the NCAA-era (since 2010-11). Despite losing two of their top three scorers, the Tornado will return a solid core for the 2022-23 season, including five players who averaged at least 15 minutes per game this season.
Photo Courtesy King University Athletics
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