HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. | Hampden-Sydney College Director of Athletics Chad Eisele has announced the appointment of Caleb Kimbrough as the College's new men's basketball head coach. The head coach at Huntingdon (Ala.) College since the 2016-17 season, Kimbrough becomes the 19th head coach in the 109-year history of the storied Hampden-Sydney program. The Chapel Hill, North Carolina native is no stranger to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), having played four years at Guilford (N.C.) College and coached six years with the Quakers and one year at Washington and Lee University.
"Caleb has tremendous familiarity with ODAC men's basketball from his time as a successful student-athlete and coach at two member schools, and I have great respect for his college head coach and mentor, Tom Palombo," said Eisele. "Throughout the interview process, he stood out as someone who clearly had a vision for returning Hampden-Sydney Basketball back to national prominence as a premier program. I'm excited to have Caleb leading our team and being part of the rich tradition of Tiger Basketball!"
Kimbrough led Huntingdon to a record of 13-13 overall this past season, including 10-8 in the conference, for the program's best record in 10 years. The Hawks were 11-14 during 2017-18, his first full season as head coach. After taking over as head coach of a winless team at Christmas during 2016-17, Kimbrough led the Hawks back into the win column, going 2-13 to complete the campaign. His record over the past two full seasons at the helm for Huntingdon was 24-27 overall.
"As a former player and coach in the ODAC, I have always viewed Hampden-Sydney as a premier academic and athletic institution," said Kimbrough. "My family and I are thrilled to join the Tiger community and to lead such a storied basketball program. I'd like to thank President Stimpert and Chad Eisele for this unbelievable opportunity. I would also like to thank all of the other coaches and administrators that made me and my wife, Marlee, feel so welcome throughout the interview process. I look forward to helping lead our young men to success on and off the court. I can't wait to get to work."
Kimbrough served as the associate head coach at Guilford from 2014-16, after four seasons as an assistant coach (2010-14) under veteran head coach Tom Palombo (311-138, 16 years at GC). The Quakers were 103-55 during the six seasons, playing in the ODAC Tournament each season, including a semifinal appearance in 2015, finishing 18-9 overall. The program was 19-8 during 2012-13, finishing 17-9 during both 2011-12 and 2013-14, while 16-10 during both 2010-11 and 2015-16. Kimbrough either coached or recruited seven All-ODAC honorees at Guilford, including 2015 ODAC Player of the Year and All-American Matt McCarthy, 2016 and 2017 All-ODAC and Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete of the Year Zach Houston and 2012 ODAC Freshman of the Year Will Freeman.
Kimbrough was an assistant coach at Washington and Lee during 2009-10, helping the Generals to an overall record of 17-10 – at the time, the best record at Washington and Lee since 1988-89. Kimbrough played for the Washington Generals against the Harlem Globetrotters during 2008-09, traveling around the United States and the world for contests versus the renowned exhibition basketball team.
Kimbrough started a school-record 108 career games at Guilford, helping the team to a four-year record of 75-36, including 48-10 over his final two seasons when the Quakers twice advanced to the NCAA Tournament (2007, 2008). He earned honorable mention All-ODAC honors as a senior, averaging a career-best 7.5 points and 3.9 assists with 27 three-point field goals. For his career, Kimbrough totaled 737 points, 356 assists (fourth all-time), 130 steals (sixth all-time) and 97 three-pointers ( 14th all-time) as GC played in the ODAC Tournament four times, including one championship (2008) along with two semifinals (2005, 2006) and one quarterfinal (2007). The Quakers finished 24-5 during 2006-07 while advancing to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals, and were 24-5 during 2007-08, including the ODAC Tournament title.
Kimbrough graduated from Guilford in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise and sport science. Also an All-ODAC tennis player, he received Guilford's 2008 Nereus C. English '26 Athletic Leadership Award, the school's highest athletic honor. Kimbrough also won Guilford's Quaker Club Ideal Student-Athlete Award and the Richard Joyce Sportsmanship Award in 2007.
Caleb and Marlee have a son, Nash (1).
What They Are Saying About New
Hampden-Sydney Men's Basketball Head Coach Caleb Kimbrough
April 4, 2019
"Caleb will do an amazing job establishing relationships with his players, faculty and staff, as well as alumni. He is an outstanding young coach who is an even better person. He turned around the program at Huntingdon in a short time and I expect he will do the same at Hampden-Sydney. I am really happy for Caleb and his family."
… Guilford (N.C.) College Head Coach Tom Palombo
"I will always remember Caleb on the court leading those really talented Guilford teams that achieved success. Believed he was the leader who did everything it took to win and can see him bringing those intangibles to Hampden-Sydney. He is a young, energetic coach that will hit the ground running. He knows the ODAC and what it takes to win in this league. I believe H-SC hired a winner."
… Virginia Wesleyan University Head Coach Dave Macedo
"Caleb is an excellent coach and even a better person. His teams are always well-prepared and very disciplined. They play an up-tempo style and an aggressive man defense. You knew your team better be ready for a battle because Caleb's team was going to compete. He will do a great job at Hampden-Sydney."
… Maryville (Tenn.) College Head Coach Randy Lambert (1980-2019)
39-Year Record of 722-325, 19 NCAA Division III Tournament Appearances
"I have known Caleb since I attempted to recruit him when he was a senior in high school. What he was as a player, is who I have known him to be as a coach and man. He is tough, prioritizes the well-being of his student-athletes and has great work ethic and integrity. He models all of the values that, speaking as a former competitor, it seems Hampden-Sydney basketball success was built on."
… Keane (N.J.) University Head Coach Adam Hutchinson
Washington and Lee University Head Coach (2003-17)
"Caleb is one of the bright young minds in our game. Hiring him is a big win for Hampden-Sydney."
… North Carolina Wesleyan Head Coach John Thompson
"This is a great hire for Hampden-Sydney. Caleb is a great coach who connects with his players and is a tireless worker who will lead Hamden-Sydney to future success. His knowledge and passion will help lead the program back to the top of the ODAC."
… Murray State (Ky.) University Assistant Coach Tim Kaine
"We are extremely grateful for the work that Coach Kimbrough has done during his time at Huntingdon College. Caleb and his staff have worked tirelessly to improve our basketball program. His commitment to the student-athlete experience embodies what is truly special about Division III athletics. He, his wife Marlee, and son Nash will be greatly missed as members of our college community."
… Huntingdon (Ala.) College Director of Athletics and Head Football Coach Mike Turk
--- This release is courtesy of the Hampden-Sydney College department for athletic communications. ---
www.hscathletics.com