After one of the most incredible coaching runs in University of the Cumberlands history, women’s basketball head coach Melissa Irvin has announced that she is stepping down from coaching after 21 season at the helm of the Patriots women’s basketball program.
“While parting Cumberland is very difficult, I cherish all the players, coaches and people that I have been able to call my family. This community and campus have embraced me as their own and I truly thank everyone for that. I have loved my time here and will forever remember the blessing of being chosen by Dr. Taylor to be his Women’s Basketball Coach,” said Irvin. “I leave feeling that I have given absolutely everything that I had to this university and my teams over the past 21 years. I want to thank all of those who have contributed to the success of this program and made it the pride of this university for more reasons than the 421 wins. To all of the players, coaches, parents, student assistants, faculty, and staff, I truly love you all.”
Irvin finishes her stellar career as the Patriots all-time winning coach with 421 career wins and .646 winning percentage. Since her debut in 1997 at Cumberlands, Irvin guided the Patriots to eleven 20-win seasons and 12 NAIA National Tournament appearances. In addition, her teams have been ranked among the top ten in the nation in thirteen years.
“Missy has been an outstanding coach during her time at Cumberlands,” said Athletic Director Chris Kraftick. “She has elevated this program to national prominence and been an example for countless student-athletes over her career.”
A former women’s basketball player for Cumberlands, Irvin began her coaching career as an assistant coach at the University of Rio Grande. As a player, Irvin is Cumberlands all-time assists leader and three-point percentage as well as is a member of the 1,000 point club. Her success on the court earned her induction into the Athletic Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007.
Under her guidance, the Patriots have notched 36 Mid-South Conference All-Conference recipients, 18 Mid-South Conference Honorable Mention honorees, 81 Mid-South Conference Academic All-Conference students, one Mid-South Conference Freshmen of the Year, one Mid-South Player of the Year, and one Mid-South Champions of Character Award winner.
Irvin garnered Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year honors during the 2011-2012 season, when she led the Patriots to a 28-4 record and captured both the MSC regular season and tournament titles. She led UC to four MSC regular season titles and three tournament titles over her 21-year tenure.
In addition to her success at the conference level, Irvin has seen tremendous success at the national level as well with 26 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes, nine NAIA All-Americans, 11 NAIA Honorable Mention All-Americans, and one NAIA All-Tournament Team member.
She has also had one WBCA All-American and eight WBCA Honorable Mention All-American.
Cumberlands will begin a national search for their next head women’s basketball coach immediately.
Tagged with: NAIA
