MEDIA CONTACT: Katrina McCormack
561-297-3163, kmccormi@fau.edu
BOCA RATON, FL (April 28, 2006)– Florida Atlantic University President Frank T. Brogan named Rex Walters the new FAU head men’s basketball coach on Friday afternoon in the Tom Oxley Athletic Center Founders’ Lounge.
“Rex has the drive and commitment it takes to make the Florida Atlantic men’s basketball program consistently competitive with the best in the nation,” said President Brogan. “Over the past year, Rex has become an important member of the FAU family. His discipline, passion for excellence and desire to be the best makes Rex the right candidate to continue building a great program.”
Walters joined the FAU staff in April 2005 as associate head coach under Matt Doherty. This appointment represents Walters’ first head coaching position.
“This is a great day for me and my family,” said Walters. “I am so excited to take over the reins for Matt Doherty and will continue to build this program until we take our place among the best in college basketball.”
Prior to coming to FAU, Walters served as an assistant coach at Valparaiso University. He is also a former NBA star, who played professionally for seven seasons, including three seasons with the Miami Heat.
“I’m really excited for Rex,” said Stan Van Gundy, an assistant coach when Walters played for the Heat. “Rex was one of the hardest working players I had the good fortune to coach in the NBA, and any athlete playing for him now will be playing for someone who knows what it takes to be the best player possible.”
With Walters on the sidelines in 2005-06, Florida Atlantic closed its tenure in the Atlantic Sun Conference with a 15-13 record overall and the program’s best conference record ever at 14-6. The 15 victories were a five-win improvement over 2004-05, when the Owls went 10-17 overall.
“We are thrilled to have Rex as our next head coach,” said Craig Angelos, director of athletics. “He is the right man for the job. His well-documented work ethic is sure to serve as an example for both the current players and the players he helped recruit.”
In addition to filling out his staff and finalizing the schedule for the 2006-07 season, preparing the Owls for their first season in the Sun Belt Conference is among Walters’ first assignments. His roster this season will consist of 13 student-athletes, including 12 players who have signed with Florida Atlantic since April 2005.
“Rex will bring continuity to FAU basketball and build on the foundation we laid in year one,” said Doherty, who was introduced as the head coach at Southern Methodist on April 24. “FAU basketball is in good hands, and I am confident that the Owls will soar to new heights under his leadership.”
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