Lincoln University names new men’s basketball coach

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ(

Lincoln University tabbed former UCF assistant Jimmy Drew its new men's basketball coach on Tuesday morning.

Drew joins the Blue Tigers program following a six-year run as an assistant coach and director of basketball operations at the University of Central Florida, under head coach Johnny Dawkins. In his time in sunshine state, Drew had a hand in a pair of 20-win seasons, a second-round NCAA Tournament run, and a trip to the Final Four of the NIT.

"Ultimately when i talked to coach [Dawkins], he just kind of gave me a nod like yeah you're ready," Drew said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The new head coach is no stranger to the state of Missouri, as played college ball at both Southeast Missouri State and DePaul University. He said he recognizes the importance of recruiting the state well.

"I saw a stat during the national championship game, the Division 1 national championship game, I think three of the ten starters in that game were from Missouri," he said. "First and foremost, I want people who want to be here. I love being a room with people who want to make you better. My whole things as a leader is that I want to make you guys better."

Drew said his first steps will be getting aggressive in putting a staff together and getting to know the players the team already has.

"We want to build this thing the right way and sustain success here," he said.