Monday, April 03, 2017

C.B. McGrath has been named UNCW’s 11th head coach of men’s basketball, the university announced today. His appointment is effective Tuesday, April 4.

McGrath will take over a Seahawks program that has had six appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including back-to-back trips in 2016 and 2017. He was on the bench Saturday evening as UNC, where he has served for 14 seasons as the assistant coach under legendary head coach Roy Williams, clinched a thrilling win over the Oregon Ducks. The Tar Heels will compete in their second consecutive national championship game versus the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Monday evening. 

“We’ve recruited an outstanding head coach to mentor these student-athletes for success on and off the court,” Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli said. “C.B. McGrath has been an integral part of North Carolina’s winning tradition, and I know he will bring us that same commitment to sportsmanship and excellence. Seahawk fans everywhere are looking forward to watching the team achieve even greater heights under Coach McGrath’s leadership.”

The Seahawks closed out the 2016-17 season with a 29-6 record after one of the most successful seasons in school history. UNCW has won three straight CAA regular season championships and captured two consecutive CAA Tournament titles, tying for the most CAA crowns in league history. McGrath will replace Kevin Keatts, who recently departed UNCW for a head coaching position at NC State University.

“UNCW is an outstanding institution in a wonderful community.  It’s an exciting time for me personally, as well as for my family. I’m really looking forward to working with Chancellor Sartarelli, Jimmy Bass and everyone at UNCW,” McGrath said. “Ever since I began visiting the Wilmington area, UNCW has always been a dream job for me. I’ve been following the program for some time. It’s on the upswing, and we want to move it forward from there. I’m looking forward to the challenge and using what was accomplished the past two years as a springboard for the future.”

McGrath has been a member of Roy Williams’s coaching staff for 18 seasons, serving four years at the University of Kansas and 14 at North Carolina. A Kansas graduate, McGrath was a team captain in 1997 and lettered four seasons as a point guard under Williams. The Jayhawks were a perfect 58-0 at home during his career as a player. He played in 112 career games, scored 82 points, and had 113 assists and 35 steals.

McGrath earned a B.A. in human biology and a master’s degree in education. McGrath’s wife Kris played tennis at Kansas, where she was the Big 12 Player of the Year. The couple has twin daughters, Kate and Addison, and a son, Hunter.

“We conducted a thorough search for someone who would continue the successful style and championship culture that we have instilled here,” said Director of Athletics Jimmy Bass. “C.B. has worked alongside one of the nation’s top head coaches in Roy Williams. He is a tireless recruiter and excellent game tactician. Everyone in Seahawk Nation will enjoy getting to know him, and we’re very pleased to welcome C.B. and his family to Wilmington."

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