HEAD COACH PETE STRICKLAND

2004-05 MOST WINS IN THE PROGRAM IN THE LAST 10 YEARS 2002-03 MOST WINS IN NINE YEARS, INCLUDING TWO WINS OVER NCAA TOURNAMENT TEAMS 2000 COACH OF THE YEAR 1999-2000 TEAM RANKED 3RD NATIONALLY IN 3-POINT FG PCT. 1999-2000 9TH MOST IMPROVED TEAM IN NCAA DIVISION I 2 Head coach Pete after leading the Chants to a third-place finish in the regular Strickland enters his season. The 1999-2000 squad also gained national attention 0 seventh year at the helm by placing third in NCAA Division I in three-point field goal 0 of the Coastal Carolina percentage and by posting the ninth-most improved RPI in the University men’s nation. Strickland has also produced three members of the Big 4 program coming off the South’s All-Rookie Team, including the 1999 Rookie of the Year team’s best season in 10 Steve Miles. - years. Last year’s team Coastal garnered even more national attention during the posted a 14-15 record, the 1999-2000 season when senior Matt Gladieux erupted for 27 0 most wins since the 1993-94 squad won 15 games. Coastal points and the Chants nearly upset 13th-ranked Ohio State on also captured its first Big South Conference Tournament win the road. Gladieux completed the season by being selected 5 in 10 years with a victory at home over Radford. First Team All-Conference and to the GTE Academic All-America Strickland, the fourth head coach at CCU after accepting All-Region Team. Freshman Clint Reed was named to the Big the post on April 17, 1998, has led the program from single South’s All-Rookie Team. C digit wins to Big South Conference respect in the past six years. In addition to his continued rebuilding of the Coastal That respect was never more evident than during the 2002-03 Carolina program, Coach Strickland is also proud that he has O season in Coastal Carolina’s win in the first-ever nationally been able to assist some former Chanticleers in continuing televised game their playing careers A from Kimbel Arena, professionally. as the Chants Through contacts S defeated then- that he made during T defending his days of playing champion professionally in A Winthrop in front of Europe, he has a standing-room- helped several L only crowd. Senior former Chanticleers forward Torrey embark on their pro Butler was the careers overseas, 2003 Big South including recent C Conference Player graduates Torrey A of the Year and Butler and Clint became the first Reed. R Chant ever named Strickland All-American twice came to Coastal O in his career, as he Carolina after was named to the serving as an L Associated Press Assistant Coach on Honorable All- Oliver Purnell’s staff I American team. at the University of N The 2000-01 season again brought national recognition Dayton from 1994 to 1998. Strickland helped to turn a struggling to the Coastal Carolina basketball program as Torrey Butler program into a championship team in four years. The Flyers A earned his first Associated Press Honorable Mention All- posted six victories over top-25 opponents in his last two American honor after being tabbed the 2001 Big South seasons on the staff, and the 1997-98 squad won the Atlantic Conference Player of the Year. Strickland’s squad, devastated 10 Conference’s West Division regular season championship by injuries all season, tied for fourth in the conference race, and advanced to the NIT’s second round. despite losing three starters by season’s end. From 1991 to 1994, Strickland also helped to resurrect In his second season, the Chants were picked to finish at the Old Dominion program as he helped lead the Monarchs to the bottom of the Big South race prior to the start of the 1999- three consecutive post season tournaments as an assistant 20008 season, but Strickland earned Coach of the Year honors coach. In just his first season at Old Dominion, he helped 18 HEAD COACH PETE STRICKLAND

Coach Purnell lead the program to the Colonial Athletic Association Championship and earn a bid to the NCAA Strickland’s Coaching Legacy Tournament. The Monarchs then went 42-18 in the next two Coach Strickland has had many people contribute to the Coastal men’s basketball program since his arrival in 1997. Many seasons, won back-to-back regular season conference titles have made impacts after moving on, with two former assis- M and played in the NIT both years. tants helping their teams to postseason berths, including a NCAA Strickland, a native of the Washington, D.C. area, played “Sweet 16” appearance. for Basketball Hall of Famer Morgan Wootten at DeMatha E Catholic High School, in Hyattsville, Maryland. As a senior, he Those assistants (and their current location) are: N helped lead the team to the DC City Championship and was • Neal Berkman (1998-99) - Assistant Coach - Siena (2003 NIT) named First Team All-State. Strickland then attended the • Ganon Baker (1998-00) - Shake ‘n’ Bake Basketball Training ‘ University of Pittsburgh, where he was a four-year letterwinner, and Workouts a three-year starter and two-year captain for the Panthers. He • Baker Neal (1998-00) - Resides in Huntington, W.Va. S completed his playing career as the career assists leader at • Lewis Preston (1998-00) - Assistant Coach - Notre Dame Pittsburgh. Strickland graduated from Pittsburgh with a Bachelor (2003 NCAA Sweet 16) of Arts degree in Speech and Theater in 1979. • Silas Cheung (2000-01) - Head Coach - Urbana (Md.) High School After graduating from college, he coached and played for B • Don Burgess (2000-02) - Assistant Coach - VMI the Neptune Basketball Club in Cork, Ireland from 1980 to 1982. • Enda Byrt (2000-02) - Resides in Cork, Ireland A In 1980, the team posted an 18-0 record and won the Division • Ted Jeffries (2001-03) - Assistant Coach - William & Mary II National Championship. Strickland then coached one season • Mark Kost (2002-03) - Assistant Coach - Coastal Carolina S at Mt. St. Michael Academy in Bronx, New York, before rejoining Women’s Basketball Coach Wootten at his high school alma mater as the assistant • Scott McClary (2002-03) - Head Coach - Marymount (Va.) K varsity coach and head junior varsity coach at DeMatha. After three years at DeMatha, Strickland coached one season at Pete and his wife, E Ravenscroft High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, before Mary Catherine, have beginning his college coaching career at the Virginia Military three children — T Institute. He served as an assistant coach to Joe Cantafio at Meaghan (18), Michael B VMI from 1988 to 1991. (16) and Conor (11). A Career Plans/Goals: Graduate players and win championships at Coastal The biggest misconception about being a coach is: We have summers off Greatest basketball accomplishment: 2004-2005 Chants L Most prized possession: My dad’s putter Best athlete I’ve played against: Norm Nixon Most memorable moment in a game: As a player: beating Duke at Duke my L senior year; As a coach: quarterfinal vs. Radford in front of another packed Kimbel Arena When I played basketball as a kid, I pretended I was: Earl “the Pearl” Monroe A surprise player on this year’s team will be: Matthijs Reinders M The last movie I saw at the theatre was: Cold Mountain Favorite soda: Root Beer E Favorite restaurant: So many restaurants, too little time Favorite TV show: Whose Line Is It Anyway Favorite breakfast cereal: Cheerios Tony Darden (left) and Torrey Butler (right), with head coach Pete Strickland at the D Favorite midnight snack: Popcorn 2003 graduation ceremony, show off their diplomas from Coastal Carolina University. Favorite sports movie: Remember the Titans These two, along with Derrick Robinson, graduated in 2003 from CCU, continuing the Favorite sports team: Chants, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Redskins tradition of academic excellence in the program. During Strickland’s tenure, 22 of the I Craziest ambition: Long since submerged 23 student-athletes that completed their eligibility have earned their degrees. I’ve never told anyone that: See “strangest habit...” A Before a game I always: Hurry up and wait Person in history I’d like to meet: Alan LeForce, circa College of Charleston 1970’s If I weren’t coaching , I’d be: A better husband The CD in my CD player now is: One the Road by Van Morrison My parents were always telling me: Not to pry into other’s business, you G might find out something you shouldn’t know First thing I do in the morning is: Eat breakfast U I am afraid of: Not eating breakfast The coaches were always telling me to: Play more zone My biggest pet peeve is: Too much dribbling in basketball I In my opinion, the best (NCAA or Pro) team ever assembled was the: 1977 Portland Trail Blazers Strangest Habit: See “I’ve never told anyone that...” D Which player -- male or female -- would you like to go one-on-one against: Anyone older than me and with more knee surgeries E The thing I like most about Coastal: People I can’t get through a day without: My family and my faith To me, the “Spirit of the Chanticleer” means: Playing hard, playing smart, and playing together 19 ASSISTANT COACHES

ASSISTANT COACH JOHN BENNETT

John Bennett is in his second season as Career Plans/Goals: Open a Buffalo Wing place an assistant basketball coach at Coastal Carolina Best athlete I’ve played against: Tim Duncan Most memorable moment in a game: First and University. His duties on Head Coach Pete only dunk in a game Strickland’s staff include all aspects of on-floor The arena I play in at night in my dreams: Arthur Ashe Stadium coaching. A surprise player on this year’s team will be: 2 Clint Nagel “John’s abilities as a coach encompass the Favorite line from a movie (and the movie): whole gamut of our responsibilities,” Head Coach “Go sell crazy some place else;we’re all full here.” As 0 Good As It Gets Pete Strickland said. “He has a honed ability to Favorite food: Buffalo Wings communicate with players and colleagues, as Favorite soda: Diet Coke 0 Favorite restaurant: Buffalo Wings R Us well as his very comprehensive understanding Favorite pre-game meal: Buffalo Wings 4 of the game. I’m excited he is with us!” Favorite TV show: Lawrence Welks Show Favorite midnight snack: Buffalo Wings Bennett arrived at Coastal Carolina after Favorite sports movie: The Fish That Saved Pitts- - burgh spending the past three seasons at Frostburg Favorite sports team: Buffalo Bills State University. There he was an assistant varstiy coach and head coach of the Craziest ambition: Eat bugs on Fear Factor 0 I’ve never told anyone that: I love Buffalo Wings school’s junior varsity program. For both teams, he was involved with recruiting, Before a game I always: Wish pre-game was scouting opponents, practice preparation and on-court coaching. Buffalo wings ...it never is 5 If I weren’t coaching college basketball, I’d Prior to Frostburg State, Bennett was an assistant coach at Pfeiffer University be: Wandering aimlessly for two seasons, He also served as the head coach of the men’s junior varsity team The CD in my CD player now is: Anita Baker’s Best and volunteer assistant with the women’s program. If I was selected to be on a REALITY TV C Bennett graduated from Pfeiffer in 1998, earning a bachelor’s degree with summa SHOW it would be: Fear Factor The coaches are always telling me to: Stop cum laude honors in English. While at Pfeiffer, he was a two-year starter for the shooting O If I won the lottery I would: Become the wing Falcons, earning academic all-conference accolades his senior year. Previously, Bennett king of the universe had also played two years of college basketball at the University of North Carolina at If you had a theme song what would it be: The A theme from Shaft Charlotte. The thing I like most about Coastal: The fans S Bennett resides in Myrtle Beach. are great T ASSISTANT COACH JAMIE KACHMARIK A Jamie Kachmarik enters his second year Career Goals: To become a Division I head coach as an assistant basketball coach at Coastal Greatest basketball accomplishment: Being on L the Ohio State coaching staff at the Final Four Carolina University. He will serve as the recruiting Most prized possession: Golf clubs Best athlete I’ve played against: Bruce Stewart coordinator, as well as assist in all on-court Most memorable moment in a game: Winning a coaching. NCAA Regional Championship and cutting down the nets before going to the Final Four C “Jamie hit the ground running,” Head Coach When I played basketball as a kid, I pretended Pete Strickland said. “Few young assistants I was: Julius Erving A surprise player on this year’s team will be: A bring the combination of enthusiasm and Adrian Gross intelligence to recruiting, teaching and scouting Favorite line from a movie (and the movie): “Let off some steam Bennett.” - Commando R that Jamie has brought to Coastal. His experience Favorite restaurant: Myabi’s Favorite TV show: SportsCenter with people has been ‘A+’ as well.” Favorite midnight snack: Chocolate chip cookies O Kachmarik spent three years as an assistant I’ve never told anyone that: John Bennett listens basketball coach at William and Mary, where he to Barry Manilow’s music L Person in history I’d like to meet: Santa Claus coordinated scouting and basketball operations, The CD in my CD player now is: Frank Sinatra’s Greatest Hits I along with assisting with recruiting and on-court coaching. During his time there, he Favorite childhood memory: Winning my first helped recruit two top-100 classes by The Hoop Scoop. junior golf tournament If I was a cartoon character I would be and N The 28-year-old Kachmarik started his coaching career at Ohio State, serving why: Inspector Gadget-I love gadgets as the video coordinator for Jim O’Brien’s squad that won the Big Ten title and went If I could have one ESPN Chris Berman nick- name what would it be: Coach Kashmoney A to the 1999 Final Four. While there, he was highly involved in scouting breakdown Favorite holiday and why: Christmas, one word- and development of the O’Brien’s team camp, that increased from 12 to 75 high gifts Strangest Habit: Talk with my cell phone away school teams in three years. from my ear If there was going to be a movie about me, Kachmarik is a 1997 graduate of Bowling Green State University, where he was which actor would play my role: Jim Belushi a student assistant for then head coach Jim Larranaga. During his tenure, he helped Biggest celebrity I’ve ever met: Matt Hogue (“Voice of the Chanticleers”) the Falcons to a 22-10 mark, a Mid-American Conference regular season title and a The thing I like most about Coastal: The family berth in the NIT. atmosphere To me, the “Spirit of the Chanticleer” means: Kachmarik and his wife Cori live in North Myrtle Beach. The support for CCU athletics 20 ASSISTANT COACH/STAFF

ASSISTANT COACH JOHN KEFALAS

John Kefalas is in his third season as an Nickname(s): Johnny K. Siblings: Arthur and Chris assistant basketball coach at Coastal Carolina Dream job: To have a school that would help under- M University. His duties on Head Coach Pete privileged kids succeed Greatest basketball accomplishment: Playing Strickland’s staff include all aspects of on-floor on DeMatha’s first National Catholic Basketball Cham- E coaching. pionship team Most prized possession: Family “John represents a sound, experienced Best athlete I’ve played against: Dave Bing N voice that resonates strongly with our players, Favorite arena: Madison Square Garden When I played basketball as a kid, I pretended ‘ our assistants and with me,” Head Coach Pete I was: Bob Cousy Strickland said. “And it is a voice that will remain Favorite line from a movie (and the movie): “If you build it, they will come.” - Field of Dreams S present. John’s background speaks for itself.” Favorite food: Pasta Favorite TV show: The Sopranos Kefalas returns to the basketball floor, as Favorite midnight snack: Oreos and ice cream he comes to Coastal Carolina with extensive Craziest ambition: Ride a horse with my daughter Person in history I’d like to meet: Patton coaching experience. His career began at St. My advice to youngsters is: Choose friends wisely B If I had one CD to listen to, it would be: Neil John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. Diamond in 1967, working with that program for three years under the legendary Joe Gallagher. What is one thing you can’t get through the A He then worked at Gonzaga High School, the same school that produced former day without: Diet Coke One word to describe my personality off the S Chanticleer Brandon Newby. His contacts in the basketball world go beyond the high court: Bubbly If I could have an ESPN SportsCenter high- school level, as he has been close with former collegiate and professional head light, it would be: When Coastal beat Winthrop on K coach, the late Frank McGuire, who led North Carolina to the 1957 NCAA title, and national TV My biggest pet peeve is: A basketball player that current Indiana Pacers President Donnie Walsh. doesn’t play defense - take a charge. E Nobody Knows that I’m: A nice guy Kefalas played both football and basketball at DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Strangest Habit: I tuck my napkin in the collar of Maryland, playing on the court for the recently-retired legend, coach Morgan Wootten. my shirt to make sure there are no accidents T Title of my life story: Keeping the Faith He then attended the University of Oklahoma and American University. A former Who would play ME in the movie: Al Pacino businessman in Washington D.C., John and his wife of 34 years, Carolyn, have two Biggest celebrity I’ve ever met: Frank Sinatra B The thing I like most about Coastal: The bas- children, John (30) and Ashleigh (18) and reside in Ash, North Carolina. ketball players that I’m blessed to help coach A STUDENT ASSISTANT STUDENT ASSISTANT L PATRICK BURNETT JACLYN MYERS L

Patrick Burnett is in his fourth Jaclyn Myers is in her third year as a student assistant with year as a student assistant with M the Coastal Carolina men’s the Coastal Carolina men’s basketball program. basketball program. E A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Myers came to Coastal from Burnett played high school Herndon, Va.. She served as D basketball at Father Judge High manager of the varsity men’s School in Philadelphia. He is basketball team at Bishop I majoring in elementary education at Coastal Carolina. O’Connell High School in Arlington, Va. for two years. At Coastal, she is majoring in marine science. A STUDENT ASSISTANT DEKOTIE KIMBLE G U DeKotie Kimble is in his second year as a student I assistant with the Coastal Carolina men’s basketball D program. Kimble is from Edgefield, E S.C., where he graduated from Strom Thurmond High School. Kimble is majoring in education at Coastal. 21