College Basketball

Stetson men's basketball coach steps down

DELAND, Fla. — Stetson University Director of Athletics Jeff Altier announced today that head basketball coach Casey Alexander has resigned after two seasons to take a similar position at Lipscomb in his home town.

“Coach Alexander informed me on Friday that he was resigning to take a position at another school,” Altier said. “It is certainly a disappointment to be in the market for a basketball coach this time of year. We had hoped he would be as dedicated to taking our men’s basketball program back to the top of the Atlantic Sun Conference as our University is dedicated to seeing it return to that level.

“We were excited to watch the team progress over the last two years, but the process of building the program has just begun. This will be no more than a bump in the road for the program moving forward.”

In his two seasons leading the Hatters men’s basketball program, Alexander posted a 24-36 overall record, including a 17-19 record in Atlantic Sun Conference play. Stetson placed two players – Adam Pegg and Chris Perez – on the All-Conference first and second teams this past year.

“I’m making this move with mixed emotions because there are so many people at Stetson I hate to disappoint, most notably our returning players and signees, because they are the face of the program,” Alexander said.

“I’m so grateful to [Stetson President] Dr. Wendy Libby and Jeff Altier for the opportunity they provided me. We worked hard to represent them well and hope they are pleased with the recent progress made. The changes may induce a temporary setback, but Stetson is in good hands and headed for great things.”

Alexander leaves a Stetson team that will return five letter winners, including two starters, from the 2012-13 season. That core group will be joined next year by two players who redshirted last year as well as five players who have committed to join the program this fall.

A native of Nashville, Alexander made the decision to return home and take the reins of his former school’s rival. After playing at Belmont University for four years, Alexander was an assistant coach there for 16 seasons.

“I am determined to move quickly to find a coach who will be dedicated to returning Stetson men’s basketball to its proper place,” Altier said. “We will move aggressively to find a new coach who will lead our program with character and passion, as well as a commitment to this fine university and its student-athletes.

“I am confident we will find the right person to lead us into the future.”