Craig Carse is the 26^th head coach in the history of the men's basketball program. 

Carse comes to Hardin-Simmons after a successful 13-year stint as the head coach at Division II Montana State Billings, where he posted a career record of 211-137. He is 290-190 all-time as a head coach.

"I am appreciative of the opportunity to become a member of the Hardin-Simmons University family," said Carse. "My foundation was formed as a Division III student-athlete. I have been fortunate to coach conference championship and national tournament teams at the NCAA Division I, II and III and NAIA levels."

Carse has coached at the NCAA Division I, II and III and NAIA levels. He has championships in the President's Athletic Conference, West Virginia Athletic Conference, the Southeastern Conference, the Pacific West Conference and the Heartland Conference.

"Craig has tremendous experience at all levels of NCAA basketball which certainly was a factor in our decision," said HSU athletic Director John Neese. "He has also demonstrated a keen understanding of how important recruiting is at the Division III level. We believe he is committed to the values of Hardin-Simmons and that he has a long term plan for this program to continue to be one of the best in the American Southwest Conference."

He coached his MSUB teams to four NCAA Division II Tournament berths and three PacWest Conference Championships. The Yellowjackets 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 leading scoring team in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002 with second place rankings in 1999, 2003 and 2006. 

Prior to MSUB he spent two years as the Executive Vice President of the United State Basketball Academy. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach at Louisiana State University under legendary head coach Dale Brown. During his tenure there he was the lead recruiter of legends Shaquille O'Neal and Chris Jackson and helped lead the Tigers to a No. 1 national ranking. 

Prior to LSU, he coached at NAIA West Virginia State and he went 79-43, including a 57-8 mark in his final two seasons. His team played in the NAIA National Championship Final in 1987. 

His first position as an assistant at Bethany College, West Virginia, in 1977-1978 produced a Presidents Conference Championship and trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament.  He was then an assistant at NAIA Salem in West Virginia from 1978 through 1983. He helped guide the program to conference championships and an NAIA tournament berth.

Carse is a noted speaker and clinician.  He has lectured and taught the game of basketball nationally and internationally, including a trip to Australia and most recently the Philippines. Carse has represented the United States in Europe where he lectured at the Super Cup.  He has also instructed the Chinese National Teams.

Carse is a native of Sistersville, West Virginia. He and his wife of 31 years have two children, David (27) and Lindsey (24).  Carse earned undergraduate degrees from Bethany College in West Virginia and a master's degree from the West Virginia University.

Swanson is in his first year as an assistant with the Cowboy basketball program. He helps organize daily practices, helps with day-to-day operations and is in charge of recruiting for the Cowboys.

The native of Washington comes to Abilene from Grays Harbor Community College, where he was the head coach for one year and an assistant coach for a season. He lead GHCC to an 18-12 record last season as the head coach.

Swanson played at Grays Harbor for two seasons and then played for two years at NAIA Northwest University. He finished his degree at Eastern Washington University, earning a degree in Health Science with an emphasis on Community Health.

Swanson has two children Jaide and Jayce.

Pickelman enters his second season as the graduate assistant for the Cowboy basketball team, after a standout career that saw him nab ASC Player of the Year honors 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 three-time All-ASC West selection and was the ASC Freshman of the Year. He twice led the Cowboys to the ASC Tournament, the first two in school history. He was a a three-time academic All-ASC selection. He is pursuing a master's in sports management.