John O'Neal, who has coached the Mercer Christian Academy girls' basketball program to four West Virginia high school championships in the past six seasons, has been named the new women's head basketball coach at Bluefield State College.
O'Neal takes over a Lady Blues' basketball program that has averaged nearly 16 wins a year over the past ten seasons. He compiled a 144-21 record at MCA, including state titles in 1994, '95, '96, and'99. He was selected the West Virginia Sportswriters Association's 1996 "Coach of the Year" for all sports, the WV Coaches Association's 1996 "Girls Basketball Coach of the Year," and the WV Association of Basketball Coaches "Girls Basketball Coach of the Year" in 1996 & '99.
"We're extremely pleased that John O'Neal has accepted the women's basketball head coaching position at BSC," noted Bluefield State athletic director Terry Brown. "He has been very successful as a high school coach in the area, and this coaching position at Bluefield State College provides him the opportunity to gain experience in collegiate athletics.
O'Neal received a B.A. degree from Alderson-Broaddus in 1986 and a M.A. degree from Liberty University in 1990. He began his teaching/coaching/athletic director career at MCA in 1990, and in '98 accepted the responsibilities of assistant principal and guidance counselor, in addition to AD and coach.
The new BSC coach met Lady Blues' team members Tuesday afternoon before answering questions from the media at a late afternoon press conference.
Release Menu |