Thomas Nash Retires from Coaching
MARS HILL, N.C. - After 17 years of pursuing a passion at the high school and collegiate levels, Thomas Nash has decided to retire from his career as a basketball coach.
After attending Vanderbilt University, Nash began his coaching career at his alma mater, Carolina Day School. After one year as an assistant, Nash began his career as a head coach which included back-to-back NCISAA State Championships (1999-2000, 2000-2001) and accumulating a 77-54 record. He was named Asheville Citizen Times WNC Coach of the Year (1999-2000) and inducted into the Carolina Day School Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2001, Nash began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. During his seven years at UNCA, the basketball team received the school's first ever bid to the NCAA Tournament (2003) as well as setting the school's record for most wins in a season and going to the post-season NIT Tournament (2008). The coaching staff earned Big South Conference Coaching Staff of the Year in 2002-2003 and 2007-2008. In 2004 Nash was named as the Associate Head Coach for the UNCA program.
In 2008 Mars Hill College offered Coach Nash the head coaching position and his dream of becoming a collegiate head coach was realized. Nash's four years at Mars Hill included the first consecutive winning seasons since 1994-1996, a second place South Atlantic Conference finish (2009-2010), leading the NCAA Division II in steals per game (2008-2009, 2009-2010), and a won loss record of 48-62.
Coach Thomas Nash finishes his coaching career with a 125-116 over-all record and a lifetime worth of memories. Nash stated, "God has truly blessed me as I have spent 17 years at three wonderful institutions. I owe a heartfelt thank you to CDS, UNCA, and MHC for providing me the opportunity to represent their schools. The players that I have coached have touched my life and made me a better person. I will truly miss them the most. I look forward to seeing what God's plan is for my next step in life, if it is anything like the past 17 years I know my path will be fruitful."
Athletic Director David Riggins commented, "While we are saddened to lose Coach Nash, we are excited that he will have the opportunity to pursue other passions and priorities. He represents the best in what we seek in collegiate coaches. Thomas Nash will continue to be an integral part of the Mars Hill athletic family."
