From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics

Carnegie Mellon University assistant men's basketball coach Andrew Garcia has been appointed the first head men's basketball coach in Chatham University history. Garcia served as the Tartans' assistant coach for three years.

In June, Chatham announced it will now sponsor men's sports as part of the university's three-phrase transformation to a co-educational institution. The Cougars will begin intercollegiate competition during the 2015-2016 academic year.

"I am thrilled at the opportunity to become the first head coach at Chatham University," Garcia said. "As a Pittsburgh native, staying in the city is, and always will be, very important to me. I am looking forward to the challenge of building the men's basketball program at Chatham from the ground up."

Garcia began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Marshall University after playing three seasons of basketball at Tulane University, where he led the Green Wave in assists twice. Following his time at Marshall, Garcia served as the men's assistant coach at Flagler College for one season before joining the Tartans' staff in 2011.

As the Tartans' full-time assistant, Garcia was responsible for video analysis, overseeing the strength and conditioning program and serving as the program's recruiting coordinator. Garcia was key in recruiting 2014 University Athletic Association Rookie of the Year Jack Serbin.

"Carnegie Mellon has prepared me for this new endeavor by offering me the opportunity to grow as a coach," Garcia said. "From day one, [CMU Head Men's Basketball] Coach Wingen gave me tremendous freedom in recruiting, scouting, and team building experience at the Division III level. I couldn't be more grateful to the staff in the CMU athletics department and university as a whole for allowing me to find my way as a leader and mentor of student-athletes."

In 2014, the Tartans made a five-game improvement in wins, finishing 11-14, while defeating 8th-ranked Hampden-Sydney College at the Carnegie Mellon DoubleTree Invitational.

"Drew has been my colleague, teammate, friend, and loyal assistant for the past three years and has represented Carnegie Mellon and our department with great professionalism and dedication," Tartan head coach Tony Wingen said. "I look forward to watching him build his program and begin his career as a head coach."