Lincoln Memorial University Athletics

Lincoln Memorial University head men's basketball coach Josh Schertz has announced the hiring of Chris Cottrell as the program's assistant coach in July 2016. Cottrell is returning to the Railsplitters' sideline after previously serving as an assistant coach for Lincoln Memorial from 2008-13. 
 
"Chris was the perfect fit for what I was looking for in this position and I am thrilled to have him back on our staff," Schertz said. "He's versatile, detail oriented and meticulous. No one works harder, or is more prepared than Chris. You combine that with his corporate knowledge and ability to get along with a wide variety of people, and having him back will be great for our program and fun for me."
 
The move also marks Cottrell's return to the college coaching ranks following a six-month stint in the corporate world, where he was a Senior Services Executive for Ricoh USA. During that time, Cottrell was responsible for creating relationships with small to medium-sized businesses and conducting benchmark demonstrations with the goal of creating compelling business solutions.
 
"Of course, I am adrenalized to be back in college coaching," Cottrell said. "I am humbled and appreciate the opportunity Coach Schertz has given me to return to his coaching staff. LMU is a special place with special people. I look forward to working with Coach Schertz and the rest of the men's basketball coaching staff to continue to move the needle as the gold standard in Men's Division II Basketball." 
 
Cottrell was last seen on the sidelines in 2015, when he completed a two-year stint as the head men's coach at Davis & Elkins College, an NCAA Division II affiliate in Elkins, W.V.
 
During his tenure in the Mountain State, Cottrell led the Senators to their first five-game winning streak and postseason victory since the 1980-81 season. Additionally, he recruited and developed three All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) first team selections as well as GMAC Freshman of the Year Kevin Simpson. Three of his former Senators are currently playing professionally overseas. In his first season as head coach, the Senators won 13 games, which marked a five-win improvement from the previous year while accounting for the program's highest single-season win total of this century.
 
Prior to taking over at Davis & Elkins, Cottrell served as the assistant coach at Lincoln Memorial for five seasons (2008-13). Over that span, the Railsplitters compiled a 112-38 overall record, won two South Atlantic Conference regular-season titles, one tournament championship and made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The Railsplitters ripped off three-straight 25-win seasons to wrap up Cottrell's stay and won their first-ever NCAA Tournament game in 2012.
 
During that stint at LMU, Cottrell played a significant role in the recruitment and development of five different All-SAC first team selections, including SAC Player of the Year Desmond Johnson. Four of his former LMU players went on to play professional basketball.
 
Cottrell received his Bachelor's Degree in History with a minor in Athletic Coaching in 2007 from High Point University before adding a Master Degree in Sport Management in 2009.