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Marcus Mason begins his third season as an assistant
coach with the Denver men's basketball team. Mason
will join Kevin Reynolds and Matt Garner to complete
Terry Carroll's coaching staff for the 2005-06
season. He will work with all aspects of the team,
including recruiting, scouting, scheduling and
on-floor practices.
In Mason's second year, the University of Denver
men's basketball team capped off the best Division I
season in school history with its first berth in the
National Invitation Tournament in 46 years. The
Pioneers' 20 wins are the most in their Division I
history. Twelve of Denver's victories came during
Sun Belt Conference play as the Pioneers won their
first-ever Sun Belt Conference regular season
championship with a 12-3 league record. The Pioneers
also advanced to their first-ever SBC Tournament
Championship Game. In Mason's first season, the
men's basketball team completed its 100th season
14-13 overall and 6-9 in the Sun Belt Conference
West Division, its second-consecutive winning
season.
The Pioneers' non-conference season was highlighted
by sweeping Colorado State and Wyoming for the first
time since the 1956-57 season and just the third
time in school history. Denver defeated Wyoming in
front of a record-breaking crowd of 6,319 at Magness
Arena. The Pioneers also claimed season sweeps of
Montana Stateand Southern Utah. The conference slate
was highlighted by a 68-54 road win over New Mexico
State, Denver's first win over the Aggies in Las
Cruces since 1965. Denver also recorded victories
against Florida International, Arkansas State, South
Alabama, New Orleans and North Texas.
The Memphis, Tenn., native comes to Denver after a
two-year stint at Middle Tennessee, where he served
as a graduate assistant. Mason was responsible for
film exchange and several game day duties along with
on-floor coaching. He was also involved in helping
coordinate on-campus recruiting visits.
Mason played the final two seasons of his collegiate
career at Middle Tennessee after spending two
seasons at Walters State Community College in
Morristown, Tenn.
At Walters State, Mason helped lead his team to the
Eastern Division title. He was honored as the team's
top defensive specialist for his efforts as a
senior.
During his tenure at Middle Tennessee, Mason gained
a reputation as a scrappy player, doing whatever was
asked of him in practice. He became a fan favorite
and was a leader in the locker room, especially with
younger players. He graduated in 2001 with a degree
in university studies and received his master's
degree in health in January 2004.
"We are fortunate to have a person of Marcus'
character and experience on our coaching staff,"
said Carroll. "I am confident that his coaching
ability, recruiting contacts and tireless work ethic
will be a great addition to our program."
Mason played high school basketball at Houston High
School. He was part of four district championships
and a sub-state appearance under head coach David
Stephens.
Mason, who is single, currently resides in Denver. |
