Mark Price Announced as Men’s Basketball Head Coach

New Mens Basketball Head Coach Mark Price and Norm the Niner. Photo by Chris Crews

New Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mark Price and Norm the Niner. Photo by Chris Crews

Mark Price is a well-known name in the basketball community; his 12-year NBA career was full of awards and accolades, including all-star games, first-team selections and the second best career free throw percentage in NBA history (.904).

Price isn’t just a well-respected name in basketball, but he’s also the new head coach of the Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team.

In order to revive a once thriving team and fan base, a high-profile name like Price is a hire intended to spark a positive fire in the national spot light. Price is most well-known recently for completely reconstructing Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s jump shot. Price has coached in the NBA since 2006, spending time with the Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors and most recently, the Charlotte Hornets.

On accepting the position, Price mentioned that he was in the right place at the right time.

“The first good and right opportunity for me was in Charlotte,” said Price.

“I didn’t know the job was open and Judy Rose called me. We began discussions a couple of weeks ago and I saw the potential here. Many of you will go home and watch the Sweet 16 tonight, and my hope is that we’ll be seen in the Sweet 16 and on TV shortly.”

Price also talked about how it was a perfect fit to allow his family to stay in the Charlotte area with his son finishing out high school.

Both Rose and Chancellor Phillip DuBois were adamant that Price was the right guy for the job. Despite Will Wade from UT Chattanooga and LeVelle Moton from NC Central being rumored as candidates, only one person was the right choice.

“He’s the only person we offered the job to and the only person that accepted the job,” said Rose, who hired the 10th men’s basketball coach in the history of Charlotte.

Price’s only head coaching experience comes from the Australiasian National Basketball League where he coached the South Dragons for one season. Besides that, Rose and the 49ers have given Price his first chance at a true head coaching experience.

Former head coach Alan Major and Price are distinguishable in many ways. Price had an incredible playing career in the NBA with accolades of being a 4-time all-star, 1st team all-NBA, part of the Dream Team II and having his jersey retired by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Price is also a big name that gets people excited, whereas Major was virtually unknown by non-basketball junkies.

It was apparent from the start of the press conference that Niner Nation is happy with the hire, with Price getting a 15 second standing ovation.

In taking over the program, Price is inheriting a 49ers team in a completely different state than when Major took it over. In 2010 Major took over at a school that thrived on basketball and played in a conference, the A-10, which was basketball based.

Fast forward to 2015, and the 49ers have a football team and are in the weaker basketball conference of Conference USA. It’s a challenge to recruit players to play in half empty arenas at Rice and Middle Tennessee compared to Temple, UMass, VCU and Butler.

Something Price will immediately have to deal with is players transferring. Willie Clayton and Mike Thorne Jr. are rumored to be leaving and were not at the press conference today. The only other player missing was Keyshawn Woods, who had a successful freshman year shooting 47 percent from 3-point range this season.

Another concern for Price and his staff is rejuvenating the fed up fan base that has dealt with 10 straight seasons without going to the NCAA Tournament. Halton Arena saw record-low attendance numbers under Major and multiple games of empty upper-bowls. Regarding student attendance, Price said that it’s a huge point of importance for him.

“We need a product on the floor that’s exciting and we need to add some defense and identity. I want to go out and meet the students and walk around. The facilities you have here are tremendous. This is a hidden gem in Charlotte.”

Major, who came from Ohio State and developed several lottery picks like Greg Oden, Evan Turner and Mike Conley, was a good candidate on paper. He struggled with keeping players on the team, having key athletes transfer out after every failed season. Major also personally struggled with his health, taking two medical leave of absences including surgeries on his eyes and heart.

Price confirmed on The Fan 610 WFNZ that he has hired two coaches for his staff, Chris Ferguson from Oklahoma State and Houston Fancher, most recently at Appalachian State. When the rest of the staff is confirmed, the Niner Times will provide updates.

Read more here: http://ninertimes.com/2015/03/mark-price-announced-as-mens-basketball-head-coach/
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