NEW FACES ON THE SIDELINES
Murray Takes Reins of Swimming and Diving An exhaustive search came to a conclusion on Friday, July 30, as Delta State University Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain (’99) named Dan’l Murray head coach of the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen Swimming and Diving teams. Murray grabbed the reins of the program immediately. “When we began the process of looking for the next head coach of our swimming and diving program, I wanted to find a candidate with the leadership, integrity, and vision to take the program forward,” McClain stated. “Coach Murray has all these qualities and I believe he is the right man for the job.” Murray has served the past five years as head coach of the Delta Aquatic Club (DAC), an age group program based in Cleveland. During his tenure as DAC head coach, Murray has guided the program through a major growth spurt that includes two satellite programs in Greenville and Tunica, while increasing participation from 50 swimmers in 2005 to over 200 today. “I’m excited about the opportunity to serve as Delta State’s next head Swimming and Diving coach,” Murray stated. “The chance to coach one of the nation’s top NCAA Division II programs doesn’t come along every day, and I’m thankful to Jeremy McClain for his belief in my abilities to run the program.” Murray’s coaching acumen is without question. The Greensboro, North Carolina, native has coached numerous state champions, state record holders, and high school champions during his tenure as an age group coach. Current Lady Statesmen and NCAA All-American Alyce Meador was a member of DAC during Murray’s first two years in the Delta. “I know how to grow a program, and I want to take the same passion that grew DAC into one of the state’s top organizations and lead Delta State Swimming and Diving into the future,” Murray added. “We have one of the top facilities in the nation, and we’ll use it and our work ethic to bring championships back to Cleveland.”
Delta State University Athletics will welcome several new faces to the 2010–11 Statesmen and Lady Statesmen coaching family. In all, four new full-time coaches and several graduate assistants will patrol the sidelines this year. Joining coach Ron Roberts’ football staff are offensive coordinator Greg Stevens Greg Stevens, defensive coordinator Pete Golding (’06), offensive line coach Travis Mikel (’07), and defensive line coach E. K. Franks. Lady Statesmen basketball head coach Sandra Rushing also welcomes her new primary assistant, Greg Long. Stevens comes to Delta State after serving four seasons as wide receivers Pete Golding coach at Utah State. Golding, a familiar name to many Statesmen fans, returns after a threeyear coaching stint at Tusculum College. During his time at Tusculum, the Hammond, Louisiana, native served one season as the defensive backs coach before spending the last two as defensive coordinator. Prior to Travis Mikel coaching at Tusculum, Golding spent one season as a defensive graduate assistant working for then defensive coordinator Ron Roberts. Golding also spent four seasons as a player for the Statesmen, earning All-Conference honors after the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Mikel takes the reins of the offensive line after serving the last two seasons as a graduate assistant and director of football operations. In his two seasons coaching, Mikel worked with wide receivers and, most recently, the offensive line. The Fort Walton Beach, Florida, native played four seasons for the Statesmen, earning All-American honors at center after the 2006 run to the national semi-finals. Long returns to the Lady Statesmen basketball program after coaching five seasons in his home state of Florida. The Ocala native served the last two seasons as head boys basketball coach at Trinity Catholic High in his home town. This past season he led the Celtics to a 22–7 record in route to the “Sweet 16” of Florida High School Basketball. Long spent the previous three seasons as an assistant on the Ocala Forrest High staff.
Fall 2010 • Delta State Magazine • 11