East Carolina men鈥檚 basketball team takes the court under new coach Michael Schwartz
GREENVILLE, N.C. — The East Carolina men鈥檚 basketball team hits the court this month with a new head coach, Michael Schwartz. The California native is the 24thappointed head coach for ECU, drawing excitement in Pirate Nation, Schwartz made the 鈥渢op 25 up-and-coming college basketball coaches鈥� in the nation in 2019.
The last seven seasons Schwartz helped lead the University of Tennessee Volunteers to many victories, four seasons as Associate Head Coach. His leadership helped guide the Vols to the 2022 Southeastern Conference Tournament title, with notable highlights in previous seasons.
In 2019, the Vols earned a No.2 seed for the NCAA Tournament advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. The Big Orange also won the 2018 regular-season SEC Championship, earning the No. 3 seed in the tournament with advancement to the second round. Coach Schwartz has 14 games of NCAA Tournament experience under his belt as either a coach or administrative staff member.
According to the Tennessee Head Coach Rick Barnes, Schwartz has been prepared to lead his own program for years. Barnes gave Schwartz his start at Texas in 1999 as a graduate-assistant, rejoining him in Knoxville in 2016, where he remained for seven years.
Coach Schwartz is considered 鈥渁n outstanding scout and floor coach鈥�, playing a major role in developing Tennessee鈥檚 2016-2017 freshman class. The young men were responsible for 44 percent (1040 pts.) of the overall points that season; the highest-scoring freshmen class in Vol鈥檚 basketball history. The Pirates have 7 freshmen on the floor this year that certainly show promise to have victories of their own.
With Schwartz鈥檚 valuable recruiting experience, the men鈥檚 basketball program welcomes top-notch players this year. The Pirates added the Los Angeles City Player of the Year along with the No. 8 ranked player in the state of Virginia, both point guards for the 2022 season. The ECU roster also includes two 6鈥�9鈥� forwards; one with a 60% shot record, one ranked the No.2 prospect in NC by HoopSeen. When scouting new players, Coach Schwartz explains he looks for 鈥渃haracter, competitiveness, work ethic and humility鈥�.
The Pirates began practicing early this fall and are ready to start the 2022 season. Let鈥檚 cheer on the East Carolina men’s basketball team and the new head coach that leads them!
UPCOMING EAST CAROLINA MEN鈥橲 BASKETBALL
Nov. 8 (Tues.)
聽 vs Mercer
Nov. 12 (Sat.)
聽 vs Presbyterian
Nov. 16 (Wed.)
聽 vs Hampton
GULF COAST SHOWCASE(Esters, FL)
Nov. 21(Mon.)
聽 vs Indiana State
Nov. 22(Tues.)
聽 vs TBA
Nov. 23(Wed.)
聽 vs TBA
Nov. 26 (Sat.)
聽 @ Old Dominion
Nov. 29 (Tues.)
聽 vs SC State
Dec. 2 (Fri.)
聽 vs Campbell
Dec. 6 (Tues.)
聽 @ UNCW
Dec. 11 (Sun.)
聽 vs Coppin State
Dec. 17 (Sat.)
聽 @ South Carolina
Dec. 21 (Wed.)
聽 vs High Point
MICHAEL SCHWARTZ EXPERIENCE
2022-present: East Carolina, Head Coach
2022-16: Tennessee, Assistant Coach
2016-15: Tulsa, Assistant Coach
2015-2014: Fresno State, Associate Head Coach
2014-11: Fresno State, Assistant Coach
2011-07: Miami, Assistant Coach
2007-05: Miami, Coordinator of Basketball Operations
2005-04: Texas, San Antonio, Assistant Coach
2004-02: Texas, San Antonio, Video Coordinator
2002-01: Long Beach State, Operations/Video Assistant
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