Sept. 30, 2010
- In a minor - yet significant - tweaking, the word interim has been lifted from Larry Tidwell's Lamar University title. He is now simply athletics director/women's basketball coach.
"We're very pleased to make this a fulltime appointment," said Dr. James Simmons, Lamar's president, in making the announcement. "During the interim period, Larry has really proven his leadership. His administrative skills are excellent, and he has rallied the support of all of the coaches within the athletic department.
"We are eagerly looking forward to the future of Lamar athletics with Larry Tidwell as leader of the department. He's a proven champion on and off the court.
"Larry has agreed to continue coaching the women's team this year, and we will evaluate things at the end of the season. He has assured me his first priority will be to the overall athletic program, but he loves coaching very much and we all know what a sensational coach he is. We'll see how things work out this year and then re-evaluate things at the appropriate time."
Tidwell, who guided his Lady Cardinals to Southland Conference regular season and SLC Tournament championships and to the NCAA Austin Regional last season, was given the dual role in mid-June when former athletics director Billy Tubbs stepped down to become a special assistant/consultant to Simmons for athletics.
"I will finish this season as head coach then sit down with Dr. Simmons, and he and I will evaluate the situation to see if one position or the other is being hurt by me being responsible for both jobs," said Tidwell. "If this is found to be the case, we'll make any adjustment necessary, but it is my hope that I'll continue to coach.
"At the same time, I am going to do my dead level best to make sure each job is treated with equal respect in terms of their importance to the overall athletic program.
"I do appreciate the confidence Dr. Simmons has in me to administer the program at this time in history. Lamar University has definitely gone to the next level.
"Attaining this level would not have been possible without the leadership of Billy Tubbs. Billy and Dr. Simmons have been instrumental in bringing back the pride and passion to wanting to be at Lamar University."
Among Tidwell's top priorities since assuming his athletics director's duties has been overseeing a smooth transition to Lamar's restart of its football program this fall after a 21-year layoff.
Tidwell's 2009-2010 Lady Cardinals compiled a 26-8 record, the second-best in school history. He was voted the Texas Association of Women's Basketball Coaches Division I Coach of the Year, and he has a three-season record of 65-32 (.670 winning percentage) at Lamar.
Tidwell came to Lamar in 2007 after serving eight seasons as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at TCU, helping the Lady Frogs achieve 173 victories and seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Prior to his arrival at Lamar, the Lady Cards had not enjoyed a winning season since 1994-1995.
A 34-year coaching veteran, Tidwell has worked in the Big 12 Conference, Western Athletic Conference and Conference USA as well as the Southwest Conference. His first Lamar team made a huge impact by winning 19 games, by capturing the SLC East Division championship for the first time and by advancing to the championship game of the SLC Tournament.
LAMAR
