ANDERSON, S.C. - Anderson University Athletic Director Nancy Simpson announced on Thursday that former Clemson assistant coach and UNC Wilmington associate head coach, Jimmy Garrity, has been named the women's basketball coach, effective for the 2013-14 season.
"I am thrilled that Jimmy Garrity will be joining our staff to lead the women's basketball program," Simpson said. "He brings to us a wealth of experience and is a great mission fit for Anderson University. I look forward to the continued success of the team under his leadership."
Garrity, who spent last season at Clemson University and the previous ten years at UNC Wilmington working in three different positions within the basketball program, replaces Jim Brunelli who spent five seasons at AU prior to be being hired at Gannon University.
"I am extremely and truly honored to be named the head women's basketball coach at Anderson University," Garrity said. "I would like to thank Dr. Whitaker and Nancy Simpson for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity. I would also like to thank the members of the search committee for their enthusiasm and professionalism throughout the hiring process."
At Clemson, Garrity was responsible for the team's guards, scouting, practice planning, game scheduling, community service and alumni relations. Garrity was also the coordinator for the Lady Tiger website and monitored the academic progress of the student-athletes.
Before spending the 2012-13 season with the Tigers, Garrity was the Director of Basketball Operations at UNCW for both men's and women's basketball, beginning in 2002. The Elon University alum was with the men's program until 2006 and the women's team until 2007, before being hired as an assistant coach with the women's team in 2007. Working as an assistant until 2010, Garrity was promoted to Associate Head Coach of the Seahawks in 2011. In that season, UNCW advanced to the second round of the WNIT.
"I felt an immediate connection not only to Anderson's passion for excellence," Garrity said. "But also to the family atmosphere, the Christian foundation and the dedication to providing a first class education and experience to every Anderson student. I strongly believe in Nancy Simpson's vision for AU athletics and I eagerly look forward to contributing to the bright future of Trojan women's basketball."
Garrity graduated from Elon in 1989 with a degree in business administration and marketing and later earned a Master's in sports administration from St. Thomas University in Miami, Fla. in 1990. Garrity carries a wide array of athletic experience, beginning as an intern with the Miami Heat in 1989 and NC State in 1990. Later, he was hired as the Director of Ticket Sales and Services at NC State in 1994. He would eventually serve as Field Representative for the Wolfpack in 1998.
Garrity is married to Jenny Garrity, who served as UNCW's women's tennis coach for 13 seasons. The couple have two daughters Kacey, 16, Carly, 8, and a son Corey, 11.
