Craig Carse, the 26th head coach in the history of the Hardin-Simmons men's basketball program, enters his second campaign as the Cowboy's head man.
Carse has coached at the NAIA, NCAA Division I, II and III levels. He is one win shy of 300 wins for his career as he goes into the 2009-10 season with a record of 299-206 in 18 seasons as a college head coach.
In his career, he has won conference championships in the Presidents Athletic, West Virginia Intercollegiate, Southeastern, Pacific West and Heartland conferences. He has guided teams to national tournament appearances at the NAIA, NCAA I, II and III levels.
Carse's first HSU team in 2008-09 set the American Southwest Conference records for 3-point field goals made (21) and attempted in a game (66) and set the school record for 3-point makes (216) and attempts (742) in a season.
Prior to HSU, Carse coached Montana State University in Billings (MSUB) to four NCAA Division II tournament berths and four conference championships in the Pacific West and Heartland leagues. His teams led the nation in 3-pointers made per game in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2006. They were also the nation's top scoring team in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2002 with second place rankings in 1999, 2003 and 2006. His teams were at the top of NCAA basketball in victories (142) at home from 1995-2006.
At MSUB he had three players earn All-America honors while 19 players were selected all-conference. All-American Titus Warmsley was in the Boston Celtics camp in 1999 with several of Carse's players getting the opportunity to play professionally all over the world.
Carse's MSUB teams also excelled in the classroom with 19 academic all-conference academic selections and three academic All-Americans. Thirteen players had a semester of a 4.0 GPA while three players had a perfect 4.0 GPA during seasons that they were all conference both athletically and academically.
Before going to MSUB, Carse served as executive-vice-president of the United States Basketball Academy in 1994-1995. Carse worked during the development of the academy's campus and programs.
Prior to that, he was as assistant coach from 1987-1994 at Louisiana State University under legendary head coach Dale Brown. During his tenure he was the lead recruiter of future NBA selections Chris Jackson, Stanley Roberts, Geert Hammink, Shaquille O'Neal and Ronnie Henderson. Carse's success signing McDonald's All Americans made him known as one of the nation's elite recruiters. His recruiting led the Tigers to a No. 1 national ranking.
Prior to LSU, Carse was the head coach from 1983-1987 at West Virginia State where he went 79-43, including a 57-8 mark in his final two seasons. His team played in the NAIA's 50th National Championship game in 1987. While at West Virginia State, he was named West Virginia's College coach of the Year in '87 and had four players in NBA camps. Ron Moore the 25th pick of the New York Knicks played for the Detroit Pistons in their NBA title season and also the Phoenix Suns.
Before becoming the head coach at West Virginia State Carse worked for West Virginia's Salem College from 1978-1983. Carse was Salem's primary assistant and lead recruiter. The Tigers climbed to the top of the WVIAC with 26 wins in 1983 while participating in the NAIA national championships beating West Virginia legend and current WVU head coach Bob Huggins' undefeated Walsh (Ohio) squad. Carse's tenure at Salem saw several players earn all conference accolades while garnering professional basketball opportunities abroad.
Carse's first position as an assistant coach in 1977 was under current Westminister (Pa.) athletic director, Jim Dafler. Carse was Dafler's primary assistant at NCAA III Bethany College in West Virginia.
In 1978, Bethany College captured the Presidents Athletic Conference Championship and advanced in the NCAA tournament.
Carse is a noted speaker and clinician. He has lectured and taught the game of basketball nationally and internationally. His stops include trips to Europe, Australia and the Philippines. He has represented the United States and instructed at the Super Cup in Berlin, Germany, he has coached and worked with Chinese national teams.
Carse is a native of Sistersville, West Virginia where he helped guide the 1973-1974 basketball team to most wins in the school's history as a all state and all conference selection. Carse lettered in Basketball and track at NCAA Division III Bethany College where he graduated magna cum laude. Carse has been married to Sistersville native Leslie Buck since 1977. They have two children, David (29) and Lindsey (25). Carse has undergraduate degrees from Bethany and a master's degree from the West Virginia University.
Carse, an outdoor enthusiast loves to hike, hunt and fish. He also enjoys bicycling as he rode his bike from Montana to West Virginia to bring awareness for strokes and heart implants which he has experienced both.
He is currently completing a book titled, "Why Coach" about the
College Coaching profession and the people he has encountered
during his career.
Pickelman is in his first season as the full- time assistant at his alma mater after serving two seasons as the graduate assistant.
During the 2007-2008 season, he helped guide the Cowboys to a semi- final berth in the ASC Tournament and helped develop ASC Player of the Year and Division III All- American Mardochee Jean. He also is the director for the Big Country basketball camps which are comprised of a team camp and shooting academy.
Pickelman is one of the top players in Cowboy basketball history. He was named the American Southwest Conference player of the year and a D III News All- American as a senior.
He is the second all-time leading scorer for the Cowboys and is among the career leaders in most statistical categories. He was a four- time All- ASC West selection and was the ASC Freshmen of the Year. He has been a part of all three ASC tournament appearances for the Cowboys. He guided the Cowboys to their first two tournament appearances in school history as a player, and was a coach on their last trip to the post season. He was a three- time academic All- ASC selection.
Pickelman has a bachelor of science degree in business
administration and a master’s in sports management from
Hardin- Simmons.
