CCU officially announces new men’s basketball coach

CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - Coastal Carolina picked the man they want next to lead its men’s basketball program.

Justin Gray has been named the men’s basketball head coach, CCU officially announced on Monday.

WMBF News reported Gray was expected to take the job on Sunday after a source familiar with the situation told WMBF Sports Director Dave Ackert.

Gray is coming off a stint as the Western Carolina head basketball coach. He led the Catamounts to a 22-10 record this past season, which led to a quarterfinal exit in the SoCon Tournament. He had been at Cullowhee since 2021 after spending time at Winthrop as an assistant.

“We are excited to welcome Justin Gray as our head men’s basketball coach,” CCU’s Matt Hogue said. “He is a talented basketball mind who has won at every level of the sport. He has strong connections to the region and is considered one of the finest young coaches in the sport. Justin has a clear vision for Chanticleer basketball, and we are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Conway!”

Gray is taking over for interim head coach Benny Moss, who, in turn, replaced former coach Cliff Ellis after his retirement in December. Ellis was one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history.

The Chants are coming off a 9-22 season and were eliminated in the second round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

A news conference introducing Gray as the new head coach will be held on Thursday afternoon inside the HTC Center.

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