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Chris Ferguson, who will also serve a role as ECU's
recruiting coordinator, is the second official hire
for the newly-appointed Stokes, joining associate
head coach Mack McCarthy on the Pirates' staff.
Ferguson's acceptance of his East Carolina position
officially ends an eight-year tenure on the
Tennessee staff dating back to the 1997-98 season
which began under former head coach Jerry Green. He
was retained by then-new coach Buzz Peterson in 2001
and was quickly promoted to associate head coach two
years later prior to the 2003-04 campaign.
"Chris will bring a wealth of experience to all
aspects of our program," Stokes said. "He's
recruited this region heavily in the past while at
Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Appalachian State and
has utilized his North Carolina background to build
many positive relationships across the state.
"In addition to being an excellent recruiter, I'm
also looking forward to his on-the-floor
contributions and direct involvement with all other
facets of our operation," Stokes added. "Needless to
say, he'll bring plenty of excitement and a winning
personality to ECU."
In his eight seasons in Knoxville, Ferguson helped
the Vols to an impressive run of four consecutive
NCAA Tournament appearances (1998, 1999, 2000 and
2001) and a pair of National Invitational Tournament
showings in 2002 and 2003. UT advanced to second
round play in 1999 before earning a Sweet Sixteen
berth a year later.
In all, Tennessee captured two Southeastern
Conference Eastern Division titles and one overall
SEC championship during his stay. While with the
Vols, Ferguson was also credited with the
development of UT's talented backcourt players,
including All-SEC performers Brandon Wharton and
Tony Harris.
Prior to arriving at Tennessee, Ferguson spent six
years on Bill Foster's staff at Virginia Tech from
1991 to 1997. While in Blacksburg, he played a key
role in helping guide the Hokies to 63 victories in
his last three seasons, including a 23-6 mark in
1995-96 which earned Virginia Tech an NCAA
Tournament appearance. A year earlier, the Hokies
produced a school-record 25 wins and an NIT title.
"I'm excited and happy to be at East Carolina," said
Ferguson. "In addition to being a close friend,
Ricky Stokes is one of the most respected guys in
the business. I believe in him, and along with Coach
Mack (McCarthy), we'll get the job done.
"It is also an honor and privilege to have the
chance to work with Coach Terry Holland," Ferguson
continued. "He is well-respected around the
basketball community and I'm excited for the
opportunity he and Coach Stokes have given me."
Ferguson earned his first collegiate position in
1986 at UNC Asheville, serving a one-year stint on
Green's Bulldog staff before moving north to
Appalachian State. From 1987 to 1991, he worked
under Tom Apke to help the Mountaineers to upper
division finishes in the Southern Conference the
last three seasons before his appointment at
Virginia Tech.
Ferguson initiated his coaching career in 1982,
working four years at Freedom High School in
Morganton, N.C., beginning as an assistant under
head coach Terry Rogers.
Ferguson was a four-year basketball letterman,
earning a pair of letters each at Central Wesleyan
(S.C.) College and Cumberland (Ky.) College while
helping both squads to NAIA National Tournament
appearances. As a prep standout at Henderson (N.C.)
High School, Ferguson was selected to the all-state
unit and was named Western North Carolina
Player-of-the-Year in 1975. He was also an
all-conference performer in football and baseball
from 1972 to 1975.
Ferguson earned a bachelor's degree in physical
education and health from Cumberland in 1981. He and
wife Mary are the parents of a son (Brian) and a
daughter (Crystal). |
