Tim Whittle has been named Macalester head men's basketball coach, following a successful assistant coaching stint at national powerhouse Washington University in St. Louis.
Whittle has served as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator for the back-to-back Division III national champion Washington University program and in five seasons there helped guide the Bears to a 112-30 overall record and three consecutive Final Four appearances. Washington U. reached the Final Four in 2007 and won national titles in 2008 and 2009.
He takes over a team that went 0-25 this past season and has lost 33 consecutive games.
"I would like to thank president Brian Rosenberg, vice president Laurie Hamre, and athletic director Kim Chandler for the faith they showed in me and for the opportunity to join the Macalester College family," said Whittle. "During my visit this week, I felt like Macalester was the right fit for me and my family. I have been blessed with great mentors in my playing and coaching career who have helped prepare me to successfully lead the men's basketball program."
Whittle replaces former Macalester coach Curt Kietzer, who resigned following the recently completed season after heading the program for 12 seasons.
"Coming off back-to-back national championships, I believe I am ready to guide my own program and Macalester provides an ideal setting for student-athletes to excel academically and athletically," said Whittle. "The Alumni Gymnasium and the entire Leonard Center are signs of the commitment by the administration to make athletics an extension of the classroom." said Mac's new head coach. "I am ecstatic to have this opportunity to lead Mac basketball into tomorrow by finding true student-athletes who want the best of both worlds -- strong academics and competitive athletics."
"I am so excited for Coach Whittle and Macalester College," said Washington U. head coach Mark Edwards. "I think that it will be a perfect fit for everyone. Tim has been an important part of building Washington University's basketball tradition as both a player and a coach. He understands the role of athletics at a strong academic institution and the type of student-athlete that thrives in that environment."
Prior to joining the Washington U. staff for the 2004-05 season, Whittle served as an assistant coach for three years at Sewanee, where he was also head men's golf coach and assistant cross country coach. In 1996, following his graduation from Washington U. with a degree in finance and management, he began a four-year career in the banking business for SunTrust Bank in Atlanta. He then joined the Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball. As the manager of finance, he coordinated efforts to fund a $400 million ballpark in downtown Miami.