WILMINGTON, N.C. — Clemson University men’s basketball head coach and former UNCW men’s basketball head man Brad Brownell will return to his old stomping grounds in late September as the keynote speaker for UNCW’s third annual men’s basketball tip-off dinner. Brownell just guided Clemson to a 25-10 record last season and its fourth on-court trip to the Sweet 16 in the process.
“We’re fortunate to have Brad join us as a guest speaker,” said UNCW head coach C.B. McGrath. “He did a terrific job as head coach at UNCW and is coming off his most successful season at Clemson. We’re proud of him and his success, and we hope the Wilmington community will make plans to show their support of Brad and the Seahawks.”
During his time at UNCW, Brownell led the program for four seasons from 2002-06 and compiled an 83-40 record, captured two Colonial Athletic Association championships and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. He averaged 20.8 victories over his four seasons at the helm of the Seahawks.
Brownell guided the Seahawks to a 24-7 mark in his debut season in 2002-03, and nearly upset Maryland in the NCAA Tournament.
He earned CAA Coach of the Year honors twice during his tenure, including after the 2002-03 campaign which saw the Seahawks become the first team in 12 seasons to win back-to-back conference titles.
Brownell piloted the Seahawks to another CAA crown and NCAA berth in 2005-06 with a 25-8 mark, earning him Coach of the Year honors for the second time in four seasons. He joins Jerry Wainwright and Kevin Keatts as the only UNC Wilmington coaches to win CAA Coach of the Year honors twice.
