Jim Christian was named head basketball coach by the director of athletics at Boston College. Christian succeeds Steve Donahue, who was dismissed March after serving for four seasons without an NCAA tournament berth.
"Jim Christian brings three remarkable traits to Boston College basketball," Bates said in a statement. "First, he sincerely cares about his student-athletes .....Second, his energy is contagious and his passion inspiring..... Finally, he is a proven winner with an outstanding winning percentage and three conference championships."
Christian, a native of Bethpage, N.Y., joins Eagles after spending two seasons as the head coach at Ohio. During his tenure, he led the Bobcats to a 49-22 record. In his first season, the team made an appearance at the National Invitational Tournament and progressed to the quarterfinals of the College Insider Tournament in the second season. His 2012-13 Ohio squad was the regular-season MAC champions (14-2). Christian was named the NABC District 14 Coach of the Year.
"If you look at the great coaches and the success that [the Eagles have] had over the years, this is a situation where you wake up every day and you can't wait to get to work and roll your sleeves up. I can't wait to get up there and meet our players and spend as much time getting to know them as possible," Christian said, ESPN reports.
Prior to Bobcats, Christian served four seasons as the head coach at Texas Christian. Under his leadership, Horned Frogs posted an 18-15 record and made an appearance in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational.
Christian had a six-year stint with Kent State from 2002-08. He guided Golden Flashes to five postseason appearances and two conference titles in 2006 and 2008. The team made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament and secured NIT berths in his first three seasons. He received MAC Coach of the Year honors in 2006 and 2008.
He also held the position of an assistant coach at Kent State University (2001-02); University of Pittsburgh (1996-99); Miami University (1995-96), Western Kentucky University (1990-92, 1994-95) and St. Francis (1992-94).
Christian holds a bachelor's degree in consumer affairs from the University of Rhode Island.
