Ritchie McKay named Men's Basketball Coach.
March 24, 2000
Corvallis, Ore. -
Ritchie McKay is the new head men's basketball coach at Oregon State University, it was announced Friday by OSU Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart. McKay becomes only the sixth head coach in OSU men's basketball history since the 1928-29 campaign.
McKay had been the head coach at Colorado State University in Fort Collins the past two seasons, and served as the head coach at Portland State University for the 1997 and 1998 seasons.
"I'm excited and blessed to have an opportunity to coach at Oregon State University," McKay said. "I'm looking forward to returning to the Pacific Northwest and coaching in the Pacific-10 Conference."
McKay guided CSU to a two-year mark of 37-22 (.627), which included a tie for fourth in the newly formed Mountain West Conference in the 1999-2000 season with an 8-6 record. College Hoops Insider Magazine named McKay its MWC Coach of the Year. The Rams posted an overall mark of 18-11, which included a nine-game winning streak. During the streak, CSU defeated Pac-10 Conference foes Oregon State, UCLA, and Washington State. The Rams also defeated Brigham Young University and Utah, both of which advanced to postseason play. McKay's winning percentage is second all-time at CSU, behind only Boyd Grant.
"Change is sometimes difficult, but this move represents a new chapter for my family," McKay said. "This was a difficult decision due to my strong feelings toward Colorado State University. The entire CSU and Fort Collins community have been very good to my family."
McKay was officially introduced as the CSU head coach Aug. 21, 1998. Inheriting a team that was predicted to finish near the bottom of the Western Athletic Conference standings, he led CSU to the National Invitation Tournament. The Rams won NIT games against Mississippi State and Colorado before falling to eventual tournament champion California. The team ended the season with a 19-11 record, including 7-7 in the WAC.
"This is truly a banner day for Oregon State University," OSU President Paul Risser said. "Ritchie McKay is considered one of the bright young coaches in the sport of basketball, and it is with great enthusiasm that OSU welcomes him and his family to Corvallis."
The 34-year-old McKay began his head coaching career at Portland State, where he resurrected a program that had been dormant since 1981. He guided the Vikings to a two-year mark of 24-29, including 15-12 and a third-place finish in the Big Sky Conference in 1998. Following his first year, when his PSU schedule was ranked the sixth most difficult in Division I, McKay was named one of six finalists for the Clair Bee Award. The award is presented to the coach with the most influence and innovation in the game of basketball, two of the other finalists were then-North Carolina coach Dean Smith and Duke mentor Mike Krzyzewski.
"We are extremely excited to have Ritchie and his wife Julie join the Oregon State University family," OSU Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart said. "This is an exciting time for Oregon State basketball, and I hope everyone will embrace the efforts of this staff as they try to rebuild the tradition of this program."
Prior to taking over the first-year program at Portland State, McKay served as an assistant to Bob Bender at Washington from 1993-95. He also has been on the staffs at Bradley (1991-93), Seattle Pacific (1990-91), Queens College (1989-90) in Charlotte, N.C., and as a graduate assistant at Washington (1989-90).
"I have a great desire and determination to build the Oregon State basketball program back to national prominence," McKay concluded. "I will work unrelentingly to achieve that goal."
McKay graduated from Seattle Pacific in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in athletic administration. He was a three-year letterman at SPU, earning team MVP honors as a senior. McKay went on to play professional basketball in New Zealand.
McKay inherits the OSU program from former coach Eddie Payne, who was dismissed March 12. Eight lettermen return, including six who started games last season. The Beavers also have four scholarships available for the spring signing period which is April 5-May 15.
The financial package for McKay includes a five-year contract with a base salary of $140,000. His package also includes $125,000 for media/public relations appearances. Apparel/shoe and camp compensation are in addition to his salary package.
McKay and his wife Julie are the parents of three children: sons Luke and Gabriel, and daughter Ellie.
A press conference will be held, Mon., March 27 at 11 a.m. on Ralph Miller Court in Gill Coliseum.
