CHARLESTON – Saah Nimley was officially welcomed as the Charleston Southern Men's Basketball Head Coach on Monday afternoon. Nimley has served in the Interim Head Coach role since November 29, 2023, helping to lead the program to one of their best finishes in recent years. He was announced as the person to take on the role moving forward on Monday morning.
 
Nimley was greeted by a standing ovation from the packed house in the Athletic Performance Center. The crowd heard statements from Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Jeff Barber, as well as from University President, Keith Faulkner.
 
"He understands CSU and the culture and DNA like nobody else really does," said Barber as he detailed what went into the decision to select Nimley. "Saah not only knows the DNA and understands it more than anybody, he loves the DNA of this place, embraces it, and wants to be a part of it."
 
While Nimley addressed the audience and media members, he was incredibly complimentary of the student-athletes in the program and the way they have responded to the adversity of undergoing a midseason coaching change. Additionally, he thanked them for the way they have taken to his leadership and coaching style. Nimley said "I would not be here without y'all, it takes a team. It is not about one person. This is an interview that has my name up there, but this is about Charleston Southern, and it is about this basketball program."
 
Moving forward he shared his vision for the program. He first shared that he wants to grow the players in the program into dependable men. Secondly, he wants to focus on their academics, making them successful in the classroom. Lastly, it was for the student-athletes to become the best basketball players that they can be. He plans to share everything he has learned in his career with them to put them in position to achieve their dreams.
 
"This is a man of Christian character, integrity, he (Coach Nimley) is going to lead these young men into a future even brighter than basketball, into an eternal future," said President Faulkner.
 
The full press conference can be found at the following link as well as on the athletics YouTube page.

The Buccaneers begin their Hercules Tires Big South Championship run on Friday night as they will be taking on #2 UNC Asheville. The tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside the Quebin Center on the campus of High Point University in High Point, N.C.
 
What they're saying about Charleston Southern Head Coach Saah Nimley

Furman Head Coach, Bob Richey – Perfect hire for Charleston Southern and Jeff Barber. Saah first and foremost is a great person, who has a very high work capacity, and knows how to win at CSU. From the first time I met Saah in recruiting him, I knew he had a unique determination and desire to be great. Those traits along with his convicted personality will serve him well in this head coach role. With my love for CSU and my care for Saah, I could not be more excited about this hire. Home run!

South Florida Head Coach, Amir Abdur-Rahim – Coach Nimley is an absolute superstar. Great developer of individual skill sets, relentless on the recruiting trail, an awesome teacher of the game, someone who is always seeking growth, yet his love for wanting to impact the lives of young people is what sets him apart. Charleston Southern Men's Basketball is in the hands of one of its own, and in my opinion a phenomenal leader of men. Charleston Southern has made a game changing hire.

UNC Greensboro Head Coach, Mike Jones – Saah has had the qualities of success for as long as I've known him going back to high school: talent, IQ, work ethic and competitiveness. Now as a coach, he has added leader of men to his resume. He has proven over and over that his talent, intelligence and work ethic is high level.

Former Charleston Southern Head Coach, Barclay Radebaugh – I am beyond excited and thankful that Saah will be the next Head Basketball Coach at Charleston Southern. He has inside of him all that it takes to lead our program with class and excellence. Saah will lead and coach the right way and our players, administration, alumni and fans will be blessed. The Charleston Southern program is in great hands! God is good!