Maryland Names Chuck Driesell Assistant Basketball Coach
6/2/2006 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 2, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Former Terp shooting guard and Maryland alumnus Chuck Driesell has been named assistant basketball coach at the University of Maryland, head coach Gary Williams announced today. Driesell, who is respected as a recruiter who has gone head-to-head with schools from the ACC, Southeastern Conference and the Big East, brings 16 years of collegiate coaching experience to the Terps' program where his father, the legendary Charles `Lefty" Driesell, coached from 1969-86.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to return to the University of Maryland," said the younger Driesell. "Personally, this is a dream come true because Maryland is my home and the Terps are, and always have been, my team. Professionally, I am grateful because not a lot of coaches get an opportunity to coach for a national championship program and under the direction of a Hall of Fame coach such as Gary Williams," said Driesell. "This is the culmination of 22 years of hard work and I am looking forward to being at Maryland for a long time."
"Chuck has an outstanding basketball background and has coached at all levels," said Williams, who is entering his 18th season at Maryland. "He also has an outstanding knowledge of the local recruiting scene, and as a former Maryland player, has a great feel for the University."
Driesell joins the Maryland staff after serving as head coach at Bishop Ireton High School the past two seasons. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Georgetown University in 2003-04. Driesell spent six seasons (1997-2003) as head coach at Marymount University (Division III) in Arlington, Va., where he guided the Saints to an 88-72 mark. In 1999-2000, he led Marymount to the Capital Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and its first Division III NCAA Tournament appearance. Driesell also served as assistant athletic director at Marymount from 1999-2003.
Before arriving at Marymount, Driesell spent nine seasons as associate head coach at James Madison under his father, where he helped guide the Dukes to unprecedented success. From 1989-94, JMU either won or tied for five consecutive Colonial Athletic Association regular-season championships (the only team in the country to do so at the time). The Dukes captured the 1994 CAA Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where James Madison lost to eventual national finalist Florida, 64-62. JMU compiled a 159-111 record (85-45 CAA) and made four postseason appearances in nine seasons under the Driesells.
As a four-year letterwinner at Maryland from 1981-85, Driesell was part of four postseason teams under his father's leadership. The Terps won 85 games during his career, while making three NCAA Tournament appearances and capturing the 1984 ACC Championship. The Silver Spring, Md., native was also an ACC Honor Roll selection three of his four years at Maryland and graduated with a B.S. in business marketing in 1985. Following graduation, Driesell began his coaching career at the United States Naval Prep School, where he amassed a 40-29 record from 1985-88.
