Tennessee hires Donnie Tyndall as men's basketball coach

[VegasWarrior77]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2014/04/22/tennessee-hires-donnie-tyndall-basketball-coach/7997105/

Tennessee has hired Donnie Tyndall as its next men's basketball coach, and the school will introduce him at a news conference at 2 p.m. E.T. on Tuesday, the Vols announced.

"I am humbled, appreciative, and thankful for this tremendous opportunity," Tyndall said in a statement. "We have great tradition at the University of Tennessee and with our men's basketball program, and we will work tirelessly to take our program to new heights."

The news comes a week after third-year coach Cuonzo Martin left Tennessee for California on the heels of a Sweet 16 run.

Tyndall, 43, spent the last two seasons at Southern Miss, where he compiled a 56-17 record (25-7 in Conference USA play), reached the NIT quarterfinals twice and continued growing his reputation as one of the sport's up-and-coming coaches. Prior to the stint at Southern Miss, Tyndall was the head coach at Morehead State, his alma mater, for six seasons. Back in 2011, his No. 13 seed Morehead State team upset No. 4 Louisville in the NCAA tournament.

Earlier in his career, Tyndall spent time as an assistant at Middle Tennessee State University, Idaho and LSU.

He'll take over a Tennessee team that won't look a whole lot like it did during this year's Sweet 16 appearance and 24-win season. The Vols will be without three of their top four scorers — Jordan McRae, Jarnell Stokes and Jeronne Maymon — because of graduation and the NBA draft.

"We are excited to add Donnie Tyndall to the Tennessee family," Tennessee athletics director Dave Hart said. "He has a proven track record of success and has won at every level at which he has coached. Donnie brings tremendous positive energy and a strong work ethic to this important leadership role, and we look forward to his impact on our men's basketball program."