On Monday, April 3, Matt Figger was officially named APSU’s 12th Men’s Basketball Head Coach, according to letsgopeay.com.
APSU will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 6.
Figger comes to APSU from South Carolina, where he assisted Frank Martin as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. South Carolina lost to Gonzaga in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament 77-73.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Figger and his family to APSU,” Athletics Director Ryan Ivey said to letsgopeay.com. “This is an exciting and unprecedented time for Governors basketball.”
Figger spent 10 years in junior college athletics. His teams won 20 or more games over eight seasons, earned six region titles, four district titles and reached the NJCAA tournament four times.
After his JUCO days, Figger spent most of his time at Kansas State, under Martin. Figger helped the Wildcats earn their first NCAA tournament win since 1988. Later, he helped Kansas State set a school record of 29 wins and earn their first Elite Eight appearance in over 20 years.
Post K-State, Figger headed to South Carolina. At South Carolina, Figger was associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. Figger coordinated team practices and individual workouts for the Gamecocks. Last season, South Carolina matched a school record at 25-9 overall, 11-7 in the Southeastern Conference.
“When we sat out with our process, we were looking for someone who could bring an excitement and energy to our program, someone who is committed to a quality student-athlete experience, someone who would be involved in our campus and community, and someone that knew and had experience with successful programs,” Ivey said to letsgopeay.com. “Coach Figger brings these characteristics and more, and we couldn’t be more ecstatic to have him leading our program.”