Schaef Hired as Basketball Coach
March 31, 2009
Charlie Schaef
The 39-year old Schaef, who has spent the previous eight seasons at Ouachita Baptist University, becomes only the 13th coach in the program's 100-year history. Schaef replaces Todd Thurman who stepped aside last month to focus exclusively on his duties as the school's athletic director.
"I think with the hiring of Charlie Schaef we've made a tremendous step toward continuing the success of our men's basketball program," Thurman said. "Charlie is a terrific person with an engaging personality that fans of SWOSU will most certainly enjoy. His work ethic and his dedication to the sport are unmatched. He will put a first-class product on the floor with players that fit well within our community and campus."
Schaef has spent the last 10 seasons as a head coach first at the University of Arkansas- Monticello and later Ouachita. Both schools are NCAA Division II institutions and members of the Gulf South Conference. Before joining the OBU staff in 2001, Schaef presided over two UAM teams where he led the Boll Weevils to their first conference title in 45 years as winners of the Gulf South West Division Championship. Schaef was named the GSC Coach of the Year and the Chevrolet/National Association of Basketball Coaches South Region Coach of the Year that same season.
"I'm very excited to be a part of the SWOSU family," Schaef said. "It's an honor and a privilege to be the Bulldogs new basketball coach. I share the same vision that Todd Thurman and the rest of the administration have for Bulldog basketball. I look for us to continue to build on the foundation that is in place and compete at the top level of the Lone Star Conference."
The move to Weatherford puts Schaef two hours away from his hometown of Canadian, Texas where both of his parents still reside. He is now back in the conference where he first began coaching as an assistant under Rick Cooper at West Texas A&M in the mid 1990's.
"I grew up in the Panhandle of Texas and it is much the same as it is here. Both places have great people ... a great community feel," Schaef said. "This is home for me."
Schaef's strengths as a master tactician and as an innovator have long been known throughout the Division II circles. His dogged determination and tireless work ethic either on the recruiting trail or on the playing court are trademarks of his.
During his years at Ouachita, Schaef coached the Tigers to a 126-99 record including the school's first-ever Gulf South West Division Championship in 2007-08. The Tigers had their first 20-win season in more than two decades and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the first time in school history. This past season the Tigers finished with a 13-14 record, which included four victories over LSC schools - Northeastern State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Texas A&M University-Commerce, twice.
Schaef said it was a difficult decision to leave Arkansas after 10 years in the state, but the opportunity to lead a program such as SWOSU and the proximity of his parents made the deal too good to pass.
"Both Monticello and Ouachita made me feel like family," Schaef said. "I wanted to stay long enough to win championships and we accomplished that at both universities. I think the timing is such where it is the right move at the right time, and I couldn't be more excited."
Many of Schaef's previous teams have featured an up-tempo style of offense which have been crowd pleasers. He relies on tough man-to-man pressure on defense that often acts as the catalyst for his transition game.
Schaef will retain current SWOSU assistant Wayne Anderson on his staff. Anderson joined Thurman in 2008 after assisting the previous three years at the University of Central Oklahoma.
"Wayne is one of the main reasons why I am so excited about taking over this position," Schaef said. "He has a great reputation and is well thought of across the region. He works very hard, is a fantastic recruiter, and most importantly a great influence for the young men who will be in our program."
Both and Schaef and Anderson will have the task of re-building a Bulldog team that graduates its top seven scorers from a team that finished with a 19-11 record and advanced to the LSC Tournament Championship.
"Trust me. We will leave no stone unturned in finding good quality kids that will represent us on the court and in the classroom, " Schaef said. "I understand it is important to have student-athletes that the community can embrace and the student body can identify with."
Schaef received his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Texas Tech in 1993. He later obtained his master's degree in physical education from Pittsburg State in 1995. He served as an assistant at the University of Texas-Pan American and Labette Community College before joining West Texas A&M in 1995. During his four years at WTAM, the Buffs won 81 games and advanced to the Elite 8 for the first time in school history.