 New TCU Head Coach Jim Christian/Photo: Deb Ruthenberg
Christian, who has been head coach at Kent State for the past six seasons, was rumored to be a candidate for head coaching vacancies at several schools after the Golden Flashes concluded their postseason with a 71-58 loss to UNLV in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Under Christian the Golden Flashes have made five postseason appearances and have recorded six straight seasons with twenty or more victories. Christian also owns the highest overall winning percentage of any coach in MAC history and was named MAC Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2008.
Former TCU head coach Neil Dougherty was fired March 16 after six years. The Horned Frogs finished the season 14-16 (6-10, Mountain West) and were 75-108 in six seasons under Dougherty.
TCU just concluded its third season in the Mountain West Conference after leaving Conference USA. TCU made one postseason appearance under Dougherty, playing in the 2005 NIT, with the school making its most recent appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1998.
Christian's name had previously been linked to openings at Providence and Oregon State but the TCU offer came quickly after the school was granted permission Friday to interview Christian. By Friday evening TCU had its new coach.
"We wish Jim and his family nothing but success," Kent State athletic director Laing Kennedy told the Record Courier after learning of Christian's decision. "The last six years have been an incredible run under Jim."
While financial terms have not yet been revealed, several reports indicate Christian's new base salary at TCU will be approximately $600,000, more than doubling his $250,000 salary at Kent State.
Kent State is expected to begin an immediate search for Christian's replacement with top assistant Geno Ford among the leading candidates.
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