Men's Basketball Carroll Sports Information

Paul Combs named head men's basketball coach at Carroll

(Waukesha, Wis.) - Paul Combs has been named head men's basketball coach at Carroll University, announced Joe Baker, Director of Athletics.

"We are pleased and delighted to get someone with Paul's proven track record to lead the Pioneer men's basketball program," said Baker. "He has been successful at two NCAA Division III institutions and we look forward to seeing what he will accomplish with our talented group of student-athletes. In Coach Combs, we have a very good basketball coach and someone with a proven record of student development and community service."

Combs most recently spent four successful seasons rebuilding the program at Wayne State College in Nebraska. The Wildcats compete at the NCAA Division II level and finished with a record of 17-12 this past season. In four seasons at Wayne State, Combs compiled a record of 54-58.

Prior to his stint at Wayne State, Combs had a successful stint in NCAA Division III, with stops at Lakeland College (1999-2003) and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville (2003-2009). Lakeland won just 20 games in the three seasons prior to Combs' arrival in Sheboygan. In his four seasons at the helm, the Muskies won 60 games, claimed back-to-back conference titles in 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 and compiled a 23-1 home record in four years of regular season conference games.

Combs then went on to re-establish Platteville to its previous status of a national powerhouse when current University of Madison head coach Bo Ryan roamed the sidelines. In 2008-2009, Platteville compiled a record of 23-6 and a No. 1 national ranking by D3hoops.com. Combs led the Pioneers to Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in 2004-2005 and 2008-2009.

In addition to returning to NCAA Division III, Combs is also making a return to the Midwest Conference, Carroll's league affiliate. He spent five years as an assistant coach at Ripon College, his alma mater, during a time in which the Red Hawks boasted a record of 102-21. He was also the point guard and team captain of the Ripon squad that earned a national ranking in 1992-1993.

Combs becomes the 26th men's basketball in Carroll history, succeeding David Buchanan, who left Carroll to become the Director of Basketball Operations at Drake University.

"The Combs family is extremely excited about joining the Carroll University family and the rich tradition of academic and athletic excellence," said Combs. "We were overwhelmed throughout the process with the vision, leadership and forward thinking of the Carroll administration, student-athletes and alumni. We are very humbled to work with the Division III student-athlete again, to be back in the great state of Wisconsin and to be a part of the Waukesha and surrounding communities for many years to come."

The Carroll Pioneers have yet to win a Midwest Conference championship in their 21 years in the league, but have been one of the most consistent title contenders the past decade. Carroll has won two MWC league titles (2006-2007 and 2011-2012) and qualified for the NCAA Tournament three times (2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2011-2012). Additionally, the Pioneers have had success in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to at least the second round in their previous two appearances.

Combs' Head Coaching Resume
Wayne State College, (2009-2013), 54-58
University of Wisconsin-Platteville, (2003-2009), 102-57
Lakeland College, (1999-2003), 60-45
Overall, (1999-2013), 216-160