Virginia’s men’s basketball associate head coach Ritchie McKay has been named head coach at Liberty University, the school announced on Wednesday (April 1).
McKay was the head coach at Liberty from 2007-09 before serving as Tony Bennett’s top assistant coach at Virginia the past six seasons.
As associate head coach at UVa, McKay helped the Cavaliers to back-to-back 30-win seasons and ACC regular-season titles the past two seasons. Virginia also captured its second ACC Tournament championship in 2014, made three NCAA Tournament appearances and averaged over 22 wins during his six seasons on Grounds.
“I’m really happy for Ritchie and his family, but sad to see him leaving our program” Virginia head coach Tony Bennett said. “I can’t thank him enough for leaving Liberty in 2009, and believing in what we could accomplish here at Virginia. Ritchie has been such a significant part of what we’ve established and he’ll be missed. He’s like a brother to me and I wish him all the best.”
McKay has the top winning percentage (.582, 39-28) among head coaches in the history of the Liberty men’s basketball program. In 2008-09, McKay led Liberty to one of the most successful seasons in school history. The Flames were 23-12, tying the school record for wins in a Division I season and reaching the quarterfinals of the inaugural CollegeInsider.com postseason tournament.
McKay has also served as head coach at New Mexico, Oregon State, Colorado State and Portland State. He has a 204-186 (.582) career head coaching record.
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