A formal introduction came Wednesday afternoon for Eastern Kentucky University’s new men’s head basketball coach A.W. Hamilton. The Scott County native comes to Richmond following the dismissal of Dan McHale.
Calling it a dream come true to lead EKU’s program, Hamilton realizes it’s important to develop an understanding of a new system while also fostering trust with his players. “We’ve got to get in the gym and we’ve got to grow together and that’s going to take time, but they’ll love me because I’m going to love them. They are not here because a coach,” explained Hamilton. “They’re here because this is Eastern Kentucky University and I’m just going to be part of their program.”
Eastern Athletics Director Steve Lochmueller says Hamilton rose to the top of five finalists for the job. Lochmueller says Hamilton has several strong attributes. “His energy, his knowledge, his Kentucky ties, his recruiting abilities. The fact he’s been a head coach. He can coach. And the fact that this was the only job he wanted,” noted Lochmueller.
The Georgetown native led one of the nation’s top prep programs in the U.S., Hargrave Military Academy from 2011 to 2017.? Most recently, Hamilton was an assistant coach at North Carolina State.
