Jim Christian

Last updated
Jim Christian
Jim Christian and Josh Pastner, March 2019 (cropped).jpg
Christian in 2019
Current position
TitleHead coach
Team Canisius
Conference MAAC
Record0–11 (.000)
Biographical details
Born (1965-02-06) February 6, 1965 (age 59)
Bethpage, New York, U.S.
Playing career
1983–1985 Boston University
1986–1988 Rhode Island
1988–1989Sydney City Comets
Position(s) Guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1990–1992 Western Kentucky (assistant)
1992–1994 Saint Francis (PA) (assistant)
1994–1995Western Kentucky (assistant)
1995–1996 Miami (OH) (assistant)
1996–1999 Pittsburgh (assistant)
2001–2002 Kent State (assistant)
2002–2008Kent State
2008–2012 TCU
2012–2014 Ohio
2014–2021 Boston College
2024–present Canisius
Head coaching record
Overall320–297 (.519)
Tournaments0–2 (NCAA Division I)
0–5 (NIT)
1–1 (CBI)
2–1 (CIT)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 MAC tournament (2006, 2008)
3 MAC regular season (2006, 2008, 2013)
5 MAC East Division (2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2013)
Awards
2× MAC Coach of the Year (2006, 2008)

James Patrick Christian [1] (born February 6, 1965) is an American college basketball coach who is the head coach of the Canisius Golden Griffins. He previously served as the head coach at Boston College, Kent State, TCU and Ohio.

Contents

Playing career

Christian was born in Bethpage, New York. He was an all-state guard at St. Dominic High School in nearby Oyster Bay while playing under Ralph Willard, who later was the head coach at Western Kentucky, Pittsburgh, and Holy Cross. Following his prep career, Christian was recruited by coach Rick Pitino at Boston University where he played two seasons before transferring to the University of Rhode Island. Both Willard and Pitino also attended St. Dominic High School.

Christian played his final two campaigns under Tom Penders at the University of Rhode Island, where he helped the Rams reach the Sweet Sixteen of the 1988 NCAA tournament. The former standout guard guided the Rams to victories over Missouri and Syracuse before dropping a 73–72 decision to Duke in the Sweet 16 round.

After earning his bachelor's degree in consumer affairs from the University of Rhode Island in 1988, Christian spent one season playing professionally in the Australian Basketball Association for the Sydney City Comets.

Coaching career

After returning to the United States, Christian became the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers' assistant coach under head coach Ralph Willard from 1990 to 1992. From there, Christian went on to assist head coaches Tom McConnell at Saint Francis University (1992–1994), Matt Kilcullen again at Western Kentucky University (1994–1995), Herb Sendek at Miami University (1995–1996), Ralph Willard at University of Pittsburgh (1996–1999), and Stan Heath at Kent State University (2001–2002).

Kent State

After assisting former head coach Stan Heath in the 2001–02 season, Christian became head coach at Kent State University from 2002 to 2008, where he led the Golden Flashes to six consecutive seasons of twenty or more wins, four MAC East division titles, two overall MAC titles, and two conference tournament championships. His teams also had five post-season appearances, three in the NIT and two in the NCAA Tournament. His record at Kent State was 137–59. [2]

TCU

At Texas Christian University, Christian took over the position vacated by Neil Dougherty in March 2008. In Christian's final year coaching the Horned Frogs, he helped the program break a seven-year losing streak and gave them a bid in the College Basketball Invitational Tournament. The squad posted an 18–15 overall record, four more wins than in any season since 2004–05, and ended with its best finish ever in the Mountain West Conference at fifth place. [3]

Ohio

On Tuesday, April 3, 2012, Christian was named the new head basketball coach at Ohio, becoming the program's 17th head coach, after former head coach John Groce left for Illinois.

In Christian's first year, the Ohio Bobcats shared the MAC regular season title with Akron with a conference record of 14–2, Ohio's first regular season title since 1994. [4] Ohio earned themselves a No. 2 seed in the MAC tournament, where they beat Western Michigan 74–63. The following evening, Ohio lost to Akron 65–46 in the MAC Championships, losing a bid to the NCAA tournament. [5] However, Ohio earned an at-large bid in the 2013 NIT tournament as a number 6 seed in the Alabama quadrant. [6]

On April 3, 2014, Christian resigned his position at Ohio to become the head coach at Boston College, replacing Steve Donahue. [7]

Boston College

On April 3, 2014, Jim Christian was named the Head Coach at Boston College. Under Christian, the Red Eagles saw little success, winning just 6 games in conference play in his first 3 seasons. They found some success in his fourth season, going 19–16, their best record since the 2010-2011 season. They also clinched an invitation to the NIT, their first postseason appearance since they went to the NCAA Tournament in 2009. That was however, the extent of their success under coach Christian as they finished with a losing record every other season.

After starting the 2020-2021 season 3-13, Boston College fired Jim Christian as their head coach and named Scott Spinelli their interim coach. In 7+1⁄2 seasons, Jim Christian was 78-132 overall, 26-94 in conference play.

Return to Kent State

On June 21, 2022, Jim Christian returned to Kent State as the Assistant Athletic Director.

Canisius

On April 8, 2024, Christian was named head coach at Canisius. [8] [9]

Personal life

Christian and his wife, Patty, were married in the summer of 2005, and have three children, MacKenzie, Zach, and Jay.

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Kent State Golden Flashes (Mid-American Conference)(2002–2008)
2002–03 Kent State 21–1012–61st (East) NIT First Round
2003–04 Kent State 22–913–51st (East) NIT First Round
2004–05 Kent State 20–1311–7T–2nd (East) NIT First Round
2005–06 Kent State 25–915–31st (East) NCAA Division I Round of 64
2006–07 Kent State 21–1112–42nd (East)
2007–08 Kent State 28–713–31st (East) NCAA Division I Round of 64
Kent State:137–59 (.699)76–28 (.731)
TCU Horned Frogs (Mountain West Conference)(2008–2012)
2008–09 TCU 14–175–117th
2009–10 TCU 13–195–117th
2010–11 TCU 11–221–159th
2011–12 TCU 18–157–75th CBI Quarterfinal
TCU:56–73 (.434)18–44 (.290)
Ohio Bobcats (Mid-American Conference)(2012–2014)
2012–13 Ohio 24–1014–2T–1st (East) NIT First Round
2013–14 Ohio 25–1211–73rd (East) CIT Quarterfinal
Ohio:49–22 (.690)25–9 (.735)
Boston College Eagles (Atlantic Coast Conference)(2014–2021)
2014–15 Boston College 13–194–1413th
2015–16 Boston College 7–250–1815th
2016–17 Boston College 9–232–1615th
2017–18 Boston College 19–167–1112th NIT First Round
2018–19 Boston College 14–175–13T–11th
2019–20 Boston College 13–197–13T–10thPostseason not held
2020–21 Boston College 3–131–9
Boston College:78–132 (.371)26–94 (.217)
Canisius Golden Griffins (MAAC)(2024–present)
2024–25Canisius 0–110–2
Canisius:0–11 (.000)0–2 (.000)
Total:320–297 (.519)

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan Heath</span> American basketball coach (born 1964)

Stanley Heath III is an American basketball coach currently serving as the head coach for Eastern Michigan. Heath formerly served as head coach at the University of South Florida, the University of Arkansas and Kent State University, the latter of whom he led to the Elite Eight of the 2002 NCAA basketball tournament. He led all three programs to at least one NCAA tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio Bobcats</span> College sport team in Ohio

The Ohio Bobcats are the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Ohio University, located in Athens, Ohio, United States. Ohio University is a charter member (1946) of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), is currently in the East Division of that conference, and sponsors teams in six men's and ten women's NCAA sanctioned sports. The football team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level for college football.

Tim O'Shea is an American college basketball coach, most recently the head coach of the men's basketball team at Bryant University. He was previously the head coach at Ohio University.

Ralph Daniel Willard is an American former basketball coach. He served as the head men's basketball coach at Western Kentucky University from 1990 to 1994, the University of Pittsburgh from 1994 to 1999, and the College of the Holy Cross from 1999 to 2009, compiling a career college basketball coaching record of 336–241. Willard was also an assistant athletic director at Holy Cross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akron Zips</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of the University of Akron (Ohio)

The Akron Zips are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, United States. The Zips compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East division. Akron sponsors 17 varsity teams across six men's, 10 women's, and one coed NCAA sanctioned sports. The football team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of competition for college football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akron Zips men's basketball</span> Mens basketball team of the University of Akron

The Akron Zips men's basketball team represents the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. The team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference East division. The Zips are currently coached by John Groce. Prior to becoming members of the MAC in 1992, the Zips were members of the Ohio Valley Conference and the Mid-Continent Conference. They had played in NCAA Division II into the mid 1970s, where they reached the National Championship Game twice, both of which they lost.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball</span> College basketball team

The Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represents Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The Golden Flashes compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division. The team was founded in 1913 and played their first intercollegiate game in January 1915. They joined the Mid-American Conference in 1951 and have played in the East division since the MAC went to the divisional format in 1997. Home games are held at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, which opened in 1950 and is one of the oldest arenas in college basketball. Rob Senderoff was hired as head coach in 2011, the 24th coach in the program's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio Bobcats men's basketball</span> Basketball team of Ohio University

The Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team is an intercollegiate varsity sports program of Ohio University. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference competing in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Bobcats have played their home games in the Convocation Center since 1968.

The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team is the men's college basketball program representing the University of Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of NCAA Division I. The Cardinals have officially won two NCAA championships in 1980 and 1986 ; and have officially been to eight Final Fours in 39 official NCAA tournament appearances while compiling 61 tournament wins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Willard</span> American basketball coach (born 1975)

Kevin Schreiber Willard is an American college basketball coach and the current head men's basketball coach at the University of Maryland. Willard played basketball at Western Kentucky during the 1992–93 season before transferring to Pittsburgh to finish his playing career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Baron</span> American basketball coach (born 1954)

James Edward Baron is a retired American college basketball coach. He previously held the position of head coach at Saint Francis University, St. Bonaventure University, the University of Rhode Island and Canisius College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Pitino</span> American basketball coach (born 1982)

Richard William Pitino is an American college basketball coach who is the head coach of the University of New Mexico men's basketball team, From 2013 to 2021, he was head coach of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Kentucky Hilltoppers basketball</span> Mens basketball team

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers men's basketball team is the men's basketball team that represents Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hilltoppers currently compete in Conference USA. The team's most recent appearance in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was in 2024. Hank Plona was announced as the team's current head coach on April 2, 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Groce</span> American basketball coach (born 1971)

John Gordon Groce is an American college basketball coach, currently the head coach for the Akron Zips men's basketball team. Prior to coaching for Akron, he was the head coach at Illinois and Ohio.

The Providence Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition. They were a founding member of the original Big East Conference from 1979 until 2013, and are now a member of the current Big East Conference. They play their home games at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012–13 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2012–13 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team represented Ohio University during the 2012–13 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bobcats, led by first year head coach Jim Christian, played their home games at the Convocation Center and were members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 24–10, 14–2 in the East Division to claim a share of the East Division and MAC regular season championship with Akron. They lost in the championship game of the MAC tournament to Akron. They were invited to the 2013 NIT where they lost in the first round to Denver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013–14 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2013–14 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team represented Ohio University during the 2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bobcats, led by second year head coach Jim Christian, played their home games at the Convocation Center as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 25–12, 11–7 in MAC play to finish in third place in the East Division. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the MAC tournament where they lost to Akron. They were invited to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament where they defeated Cleveland State and Wright State to advance to the quarterfinals where they lost to VMI. After the season Christian accepted the head coach position at Boston College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014–15 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2014–15 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team represented Ohio University during the 2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. It was the first year for Saul Phillips as head coach for the program. The team played its home games at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio as a member of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 10–20, 5–13 in MAC play to finish in last place in the East Division. They lost in the first round of the MAC tournament to Western Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season</span> Sports season

The 2021–22 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2021, followed by the start of the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference began in January 2021 and concluded in March 2022. Toledo won their second straight MAC regular season title with a 17–3 conference record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season</span> Sports season

The 2022–23 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season is the season for Mid-American Conference men's basketball teams. It began with practices in October 2022, followed by the start of the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2023 and concluded in March 2023. The 2023 MAC tournament was held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio for the 24th consecutive season.

References

  1. ↑ "Executive, administrative, and professional staff - staff appointments". Minutes of the Board of Regents, Western Kentucky University. December 12, 1990. p. 8. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  2. ↑ Withers, Tom. "Sports Writer". Associated Press. Retrieved 29 March 2008.
  3. ↑ "Jim Christian's Coaching Biography". Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
  4. ↑ "Ohio Shares MAC Title With 58–54 Win Over Miami". ohiobobcats.com. Ohio University. March 9, 2013. Archived from the original on 2 August 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  5. ↑ Moylan, Connor (16 March 2013). "Akron wins 2013 MAC basketball tournament: Zips stifle Bobcats". SB Nation. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  6. ↑ Arkley, Jason (17 March 2013). "Ohio lands NIT bid". The Athens Messenger . Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  7. ↑ Vega, Michael (3 April 2014). "BC hires Jim Christian as basketball coach". Boston Globe . Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Jim Christian Named Canisius Head Men's Basketball Coach". gogriffs.com. April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  9. ↑ Lenzi, Rachel (April 12, 2024). "Canisius coach Jim Christian: 'My goal is to leave a tremendous impact, and win championships'". The Buffalo News . Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.