Amanda Knapp
The Charleston Cougars men's basketball team is an NCAA Division I college basketball team representing the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. The Cougars have been an NCAA Division I team since 1991 and have appeared in the NCAA tournament seven times. They play their home games at TD Arena, located on the College of Charleston's campus, and have a strong basketball history, with five former players having progressed to the NBA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Charleston Cougars |
| Institution | College of Charleston |
| Location | Charleston, South Carolina |
| Home Games Arena | TD Arena |
| League | NCAA Division I |
| Conference | Coastal Athletic Association (formerly Colonial Athletic Association) |
| Former Conferences | Trans-Atlantic Athletic Conference; Southern Conference |
| National Championships | 1 (1983) |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 7 |
| NIT Appearances | 5 |
| CBI Appearances | 3 |
| Former Coaches | John Kresse; Tom Herrion; Bob Cremins |
| Current Coach | Chris Mack |
| Former Players in the NBA | Joe Chealey; Andrew Goudelock; John Meeks |
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What You'll Learn
Charleston Cougars men's basketball team history
The Charleston Cougars are an NCAA Division I college basketball team representing the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. The College of Charleston has sponsored a men's basketball team since 1898 and has been an NCAA Division I team since 1991.
The Cougars have enjoyed several successful periods throughout their history. In 1983, while a member of the NAIA, they became National Champions. They have appeared in the NCAA tournament seven times, most recently in 2024, and have a combined record of 1-7. They have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) five times and the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) three times.
The Cougars' success in the late 1990s and early 2000s was driven by coach John Kresse, who led the team to a regular season championship in the 1999-00 season and Southern Division championships in the following two seasons. Kresse retired in 2002 with an impressive career record of 560-143, ranking 11th highest in college basketball history across all divisions.
In 2008, under coach Bobby Cremins, the Cougars moved to a new stadium, the Carolina First Center (now TD Arena), and continued their success. In the 2009-10 season, they upset then-No.9 North Carolina, and in the following season, they won their first regular-season championship in eight years.
More recently, Pat Kelsey led the Cougars from 2021 to 2024, a period considered one of the most successful eras in program history. During his three seasons as head coach, Kelsey led the team to two conference regular season titles, two conference championship titles, and two NCAA tournament appearances.
In 2012, ESPN ranked Charleston as the 73rd best college basketball program in the previous 50 years, the highest ranking of all Division I teams in South Carolina.
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Cougars' tournament appearances
The Charleston Cougars are the varsity intercollegiate athletic teams representing the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. The Cougars compete in NCAA Division I and are currently members of the Coastal Athletic Association. The Cougars have made several tournament appearances over the years, including in the NCAA tournament, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), the College Basketball Invitational (CBI), and the NAIA tournament.
The Charleston Cougars men's basketball team has appeared in the NCAA tournament seven times, most recently in 2024. They have a combined record of 1-7 in these tournaments. The Cougars have also appeared in the NIT five times, with a combined record of 4-5. They have had more success in the CBI, making three appearances and holding a 2-3 record.
The Cougars have a rich history in the NAIA tournament, having appeared six times and claiming the National Championship in 1983. Their overall record in the NAIA tournament is an impressive 15-5. The team's success in the NAIA can be largely attributed to coach John Kresse, who led them to their first District Championship in 1983 and propelled them to their first NAIA Tournament appearance. Kresse continued to guide the Cougars to five more consecutive NAIA Tournament berths from 1985 to 1989, securing five straight District 6 Championships.
The College of Charleston has sponsored a men's basketball team since 1898 and has been an NCAA Division I team since 1991. The Cougars women's basketball team has also achieved success, with the university sponsoring six women's NCAA-sanctioned sports. The Cougars volleyball team has been particularly notable, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament seven times since 2002 and winning 14 consecutive regular season or postseason conference titles between 2001 and 2014.
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Cougars players in the NBA
The Charleston Cougars men's basketball team is an NCAA Division I college basketball team representing the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. The Cougars compete in the Coastal Athletic Association and play their home games at TD Arena, located on the College of Charleston's campus.
Five former College of Charleston players have gone on to play in the NBA. These include:
Joe Chealey (born 1995) – Currently playing in the Israeli Basketball Premier League (ISBL).
Andrew Goudelock (born 1988) – Plays in the Greek Basketball League (GBL).
John Meeks (born 1999) – Also currently playing in the Israeli Basketball Premier League.
In addition to the above, there are also a number of successful Houston Cougars players who have made it to the NBA:
Hakeem Olajuwon – Nicknamed "The Dream", Olajuwon was a dominant player in both the NBA and college basketball. He was drafted No. 1 overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, ahead of Michael Jordan. A 12-time All-Star, 1994 MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and a six-time All-NBA First Team selection, Olajuwon's iconic "Dream Shake" move is still studied today. His No. 34 jersey has been retired by both the Cougars and the Rockets.
Elvin Hayes – Before Olajuwon, Elvin Hayes was Houston's first big NBA star. Drafted No. 1 overall in 1968 by the San Diego Rockets, Hayes led the league in scoring during his rookie season. Over 16 seasons, he earned 12 All-Star nods and played a key role in the Washington Bullets' 1978 championship win. His rebounding skills were legendary, and he remains one of the NBA's all-time leaders in both minutes and points. His No. 44 jersey was retired by Houston.
Clyde "The Glide" Drexler – Known for his speed and slam dunks, Drexler was drafted 14th overall in the 1983 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He won an NBA title with the Rockets in 1995 and made 10 All-Star appearances. Drexler was a core part of the "Phi Slama Jama" crew at Houston, alongside Olajuwon.
Other notable Houston Cougars players in the NBA include Don Chaney, Otis Birdsong, and Michael Young.
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Cougars' head coaches
The Charleston Cougars men's basketball team is an NCAA Division I college basketball team representing the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. The Cougars compete in the Coastal Athletic Association, having moved up from the NAIA before the 1991-92 season.
The College of Charleston has sponsored a men's basketball team since 1898 and has had 25 head coaches in its history. Here is a look at some of the Cougars' most notable head coaches:
John Kresse
Kresse coached the Cougars for 23 years, from 1979 to 2002. During his tenure, he led the team to numerous successes, including a regular-season championship in 1999-00 and Southern Division championships in 2000-01 and 2001-02. Kresse's overall record at Charleston was impressive, with a career record of 560-143 and a Division I coaching record of 258-64, ranking 5th highest in Division I history at the time of his retirement.
Tom Herrion
After Kresse's retirement, Tom Herrion was hired as the 20th head coach of the Cougars in 2002. In his first season, Herrion led the Cougars to victory in the Great Alaska Shootout, defeating Wyoming, Oklahoma State, and Villanova in the championship game. Herrion's first team also won a regular-season championship and finished with a 25-8 record. During his time as head coach, the Cougars had notable performances, including a 20-9 record in 2003-04 and an 18-10 season in 2004-05.
Bobby Cremins
Former Georgia Tech head coach Bobby Cremins was hired by the College of Charleston in 2006. During his five complete seasons, Cremins led the Cougars to success, with the team winning at least 20 games in four of those seasons. Under Cremins, the Cougars advanced to a national postseason tournament three times and earned their first regular-season championship in eight years during the 2010-11 season. Cremins took a leave of absence during the 2011-12 season due to exhaustion and retired at the end of that season. His overall record at Charleston was 125-68.
Doug Wojcik
Doug Wojcik, the former University of Tulsa coach and all-time wins leader at the school, was named the 22nd head coach of the Cougars in 2012. In his first season, Wojcik led the Cougars to the SoCon Tournament Championship, where they ultimately lost to Davidson.
Chris Mack
Most recently, Chris Mack, the former head coach at Xavier University and the University of Louisville, was named the 25th head coach of the Cougars in 2024. Mack served as an assistant coach to Pat Kelsey at Xavier, who also moved to Louisville and was praised by the College of Charleston president for his impact on the basketball program.
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Cougars' home games
The Charleston Cougars are the men's basketball team representing the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. They are a Division I college basketball team and compete in the Coastal Athletic Association. The Cougars have a rich basketball history, with five former players having gone on to play in the NBA.
The Cougars play their home games at TD Arena, located on the College of Charleston's campus. The team previously played in the John Kresse Arena before relocating to the Carolina First Center, now known as TD Arena, in 2008. Their first home game in the new stadium was a victory, with a final score of 72-66 against SIU Edwardsville.
The Charleston Cougars have enjoyed success in their home stadium, with notable wins against prominent opponents. On January 4, 2010, the Cougars pulled off an upset victory over then-No.9 North Carolina at TD Arena, putting them back in the national spotlight. This win contributed to the team's success during the 2009-2010 season.
The Cougars have a strong following and are a source of pride for the College of Charleston. The team's success has brought excitement and energy to the city, as noted by the College's president, Andrew Hsu. The Cougars have appeared in several prestigious tournaments, including the NCAA tournament seven times, the National Invitation Tournament five times, and the College Basketball Invitational on three occasions.
Attending a Cougars home game at TD Arena offers fans the opportunity to witness the team's skill and determination firsthand. The atmosphere is often electric, with supporters cheering on their team and celebrating their achievements. The arena provides a backdrop for the Cougars to showcase their talent and continue building upon their basketball legacy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Charleston Cougars men's basketball team has been an NCAA Division I college basketball team since 1991.
The Cougars have appeared in the NCAA tournament seven times, most recently in 2024. In 2012, ESPN ranked Charleston as the 73rd best college basketball program in the previous 50 years, which was the highest ranking of all Division I teams in the state of South Carolina.
Five former College of Charleston players have played in the NBA, including Joe Chealey, Andrew Goudelock, and John Meeks.
Chris Mack is the current head coach of the Charleston Cougars men's basketball team, having been appointed on April 2, 2024.
The Cougars play their home games at TD Arena, located on the College of Charleston's campus.
