. "Matt McCall is a rising star in college basketball coaching who has been a key piece of three successful programs in his career."
UMass Athleitcs Director Ryan Bamford
Matt McCall, the UTC men's basketball coach the past two years, has been hired today as the new UMass head men's basketballl coach.
University of Massachusetts Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford last week announced that men's basketball head coach Derek Kellogg had been relieved of his duties.
McCall, was 48-18 in two years as UTC head coach an 2016 Southern Conference men's Basketball Coacb of the Year, and UMass officials will hold a press conference Thursday to introduce coach McCall..
"It is my pleasure to welcome Matt McCall and his family to the University of Massachusetts," Bamford said. "Matt is a rising star in college basketball coaching who has been a key piece of three successful programs in his career.
"He has earned a reputation as a relentless worker, a great teammate and colleague and a confident leader of young men. Matt has worked with some of the most respected coaches and administrators in the country, who loudly sing his praises. Coach McCall's appointment begins an exciting new chapter for our tradition-rich men's basketball program at UMass."
At the helm of the Minutemen program for nine seasons, Kellogg compiled an overall record of 155-137 with a record of 15-18 in 2016-17. Kellogg's UMass teams were 67-83 in Atlantic 10 play during his tenure.
Coach McCall said, "My family and I always said it would take something extremely special to move us away from Chattanooga and that's what we have here at UMass.
"The tradition and resources that are in place not only make this one of the best basketball jobs in the Atlantic 10 Conference, but one of the best jobs in the country. We couldn't be more excited about becoming part of the UMass family and look forward to building upon the rich tradition that has been established here in the past."
McCall spent 11 seasons, over two stops, with Billy Donovan at Florida. After five seasons as a manager and graduate assistant, he was named Director of Basketball Operations (2006-08) before returning to Gainesville as assistant coach prior to the 2011-12 season.
In total, McCall was part of four SEC titles, four SEC Tournament titles, two NCAA Elite Eights, a Final Four and two NCAA titles. The 2013-14 Gators won 30-straight games, with an 18-0 SEC ledger, before a loss to eventual National Champion UConn in the Final Four.