March 28, 2007
BEAUMONT, Texas - Larry Tidwell, who has spent the last eight seasons as the associate head coach at TCU, has been selected to take over as head coach of the Lamar University women's basketball team, announced athletic director Billy Tubbs on Wednesday.
"Larry brings a lot to the table," Tubbs said. "He is one of the nation's top recruiters and he'll be a great head coach that will bring credibility and respect to our program.
"He has head coaching experience, which was important, and has been very successful wherever he has been. He is someone who I think can bring pride and enthusiasm back to the women's basketball program."
A 32-year coaching veteran, Tidwell coordinated recruiting efforts for the Lady Frogs, helped with on-the-floor coaching and gave individual instruction to the Lady Frogs' post players.
In his eight years at TCU, Tidwell helped the Lady Frogs to 173 wins and seven straight appearances in the NCAA tournament. The run of seven straight appearances in the Big Dance put TCU in elite company as one of less than 20 programs to go to the tournament every year since 2001.
Tidwell is known as one of the nation's top recruiters, as he played a major role in putting together numerous nationally ranked recruiting classes at TCU. He was instrumental in bringing in the 2001 recruiting class that was ranked as high as fourth nationally, and the 2003 class that was also ranked in the top 10.
In May 2002, Tidwell was honored for his efforts, as he earned AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year recognition. Among 300,000 candidates, he was one of just 500 assistant coaches across the country to receive the award.
Prior to his time at TCU, Tidwell spent time as athletics director and head coach at Mexia (Texas) High School. Before assuming his duties at Mexia, he spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Baylor University, from 1992-1998.
During his tenure with the Bears, Tidwell saw Baylor post an 86-84 overall record, capturing 35 victories over his final two seasons and securing a Women's National Invitation Tournament berth. His recruiting classes were recognized among the top 25 in the nation on two occasions. In all, seven of his 12 college recruiting classes have been ranked among the nation's top 30.
"I think Lamar University is a diamond in the rough," Tidwell said. "Recruiting in the Golden Triangle and getting the top local talent to come to Lamar is a priority, and we plan to contend for the Southland Conference championship next season."
A native of Sanger, Texas, Tidwell made three stops as a girls high school coach starting in Frisco 1978-1973, at Schulenburg from 1984-1992 and at Mexia from 1998-1999. During 11 years as a Texas high school coach, he compiled a 267-74 (.782) career record, and his teams made the state playoff 10 out of a possible 11 times.
Married to the former Teresa Ann Davis, also of Sanger, the couple has three sons, Marc, Marty and Michael. In addition, Tidwell has two daughters-in-law, Kristin and Michelle, two granddaughters, Ryan and Skylar, and two grandsons, Matt and William. He received his bachelor degree in education from Austin College in 1975 and his master degree in education from Austin College in 1976.
