Maintaining tradition in the ‘Scenic City’: Lamont Paris’ early success in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (BVM) — The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s basketball head coaching position is one of the most coveted in the Southern Conference.
In 45 seasons, the Mocs have won over 800 games, 19 regular season championships, and have made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.
In 2017, the reigning Southern Conference Coach of the Year, Matt McCall, left Chattanooga for the UMass head coach opening. After McCall’s departure, the school’s administration began the process to find the 20th coach in program history.
At the end of their search, they came to the conclusion that Lamont Paris was the right man for the job. The recruiting ability and experience that Paris possessed was too much for the Mocs to overlook.
Paris was hired as an assistant from the University of Wisconsin where he served under Greg Gard and the legendary former Badger coach Bo Ryan. At Wisconsin, he was part of teams that made two Final Four appearances and a National Championship appearance in 2015.
“We are all very proud and excited for Lamont as he begins this new opportunity,” Gard said in a 2017 release following Paris’ coaching move. “I have no doubt he’ll make a terrific head coach, and this is a tremendous hire for Chattanooga. On a personal level, it’s bittersweet to see one of your best friends move away, but I’m so happy for and proud of him. He’s more than paid his dues and climbed the professional ladder the right way.”
It is always tough for coaches to have instant success in year one and Paris was not an exception. The Mocs finished the year 10-23 and 3-15 in conference play.
Despite a lackluster season, Paris was optimistic heading into the 2018-2019 campaign.
“Everyone is excited to show what they can do; but more importantly, collectively what we can do,” Paris said in a public statement prior to the start of his second year in charge. “I sense a very high level of enthusiasm out of this group…their eagerness to be coached, improve and to play and win together.”
Progress was made in year two under Paris, as Chattanooga went 7-11 in the Southern Conference, climbing up to fifth in the standings. It was clear the school had the right leadership resulting in a contract extension after just two seasons.
“It was important to us to continue the building efforts Lamont has taken over his first two years,” athletic director Mark Wharton stated following the announcement of the extension. “We believe in his vision for the program and how it has taken effect off the floor. We’re excited at the caliber of student-athlete he is bringing on campus. and from what I saw in the Bahamas exhibition games, on the floor is soon to follow.”
In year three, the culture that Paris was building was finally set. The roster was a mixture of high school recruits, junior college standouts, and transfers from power five schools that all gelled together. The comradery and overall positive energy led the Mocs to a 20-13 record, making it to the semifinals of the 2020 conference tournament.
“Having a coach at the helm that put together a team that turned the program around should give everyone confidence on what’s to come in the future,” said Vanderbilt graduate transfer, Matt Ryan. “We were a couple of shots away from playing for a championship.
The Mocs backed up Ryan’s claims this season, as they started off 9-0 before losing to Furman on Dec. 30.
Chattanooga currently sits at 12-5 as of Feb. 1 and will look to make some more noise in postseason play this year.
As Lamont Paris continues to build and strengthen the culture in Chattanooga, do not be surprised to hear his name pop up in the college basketball coaching carousel soon.
