SWOSU Hires Thurman As New Coach
May 30, 2006
Todd Thurman
WEATHERFORD – Southwestern Oklahoma State University has found its man. Nearly one month after reviewing dozens of applicants and conducting a series of in-depth interviews, athletic director Cecil Perkins has announced that Todd Thurman has been hired as the university’s new men’s basketball coach.
The 45-year-old Thurman has spent the last seven seasons as a successful head coach at Wayland Baptist University, an NAIA school in Plainview, Texas. Thurman replaces Scott Reed who resigned earlier this month after three seasons at the Weatherford school.
“I think with the hiring of Todd Thurman we've made a tremendous move to continuing the success of our men's basketball program," Perkins said. "He has a great talent as a recruiter, as a coach and more importantly a molder of young men. He is the one that is best prepared for the job and is eager to make us better."
A native of Yukon, Thurman led Wayland to a 131-82 (.615) record which included four trips (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006) to the NAIA National Tournament. This year the Pioneers finished with a 19-11 mark before bowing in the first round of the NAIA Tournament to eventual quarterfinalist Olivet Nazarene.
"I'm very excited to be a part of Southwestern Oklahoma State University and its basketball family," Thurman said. "It's an honor and a privilege to be the Bulldogs new basketball coach. I'm excited about the opportunity and share the same vision that President John Hays and Cecil Perkins have for this program. From what I've seen from an athletic and administration standpoint, we have the necessary support to be successful here."
Prior to arriving at Wayland in 1999, Thurman had played on or helped coach seven teams from three other schools to either NAIA or NCAA Division II postseason appearances. He worked as an assistant coach for nine seasons at his alma mater Southern Nazarene University, where the Crimson Storm made regular postseason appearances in both the Sooner Athletic Conference and NAIA. He also served as an assistant at the University of Central Oklahoma and also at Oklahoma Christian University in the early 1990’s.
His coaching experience also includes a stint as a bench coach for the 2004 USA Basketball Men’s National Team Trials in East Rutherford, N.J. While there he worked with the nation’s top 20-and-under basketball players in preparation for international competition. Gonzaga’s Adam Morrison, the 2006 Collegiate Player-of-the-Year and Chris Paul, star guard for the NBA’s New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets were members of that team.
Thurman had an illustrious playing career and went on to play several years professionally in England, Argentina and the Philippines during the mid 1980’s. An all-stater at Yukon High School, Thurman led the Millers to the 1979 state title and went on to earn all-American honors at nearby Bethany Nazarene. He led Bethany (now Southern Nazarene University) to its first NAIA title by scoring 39 points in the 1981 championship against Alabama-Huntsville.
Thurman holds dual degrees in Business Administration and education from SNU. He also earned a master's degree in higher education from Central Oklahoma.
Thurman and his wife Lynne have two boys: Nick, 16, and Alex, 13.