Jim Christian was introduced to the Dallas/Fort Worth community as the 19th head men's basketball coach in program history on March 29th, 2008. In front of representatives of the athletics department, media members and life-long supporters of the Purple and White - TCU Athletics Director Dr. Danny Morrison described Christian as a "slam dunk" in finding the right person to turn around the Horned Frogs' men's basketball program.

With the challenge laid out in front of Christian - the new leader quickly accepted the challenge of turning around the Frog fortunes as he told the gathering of his plans to instill toughness and pride to the TCU name while working on competing for a conference championship immediately.

The announcement of Christian as the new head men's basketball coach at TCU was made with praise around the country as Mike Huguenin of Rivals.com stated that this was the "best hire of 2008 in college basketball." ESPN College Basketball Analyst Jay Bilas stated, "When you watch Christian's teams play - you can see just how good of a coach he really is. I have been surprised that someone hasn't plucked him out of Kent State sooner... but I thought that someone would have seen what seems to me so obvious - this guy can really coach."

And coaching is what Christian loves to do best - but in addition to working out his new team the day after his press conference - the new leader of the Purple and White has been on a mission of changing the attitude and culture surrounding the TCU men's basketball program. Through attending events, speaking engagements, meeting with media representatives, conversing with hoop supporters and alumni and even throwing out the first pitch for the Texas Rangers - there is a new excitement in the air with TCU basketball fresh on everyone's mind and the anticipation building for the Jim Christian era to begin.

The Kent State Days
Christian came to TCU after serving as the head men's basketball coach at Kent State for the last six seasons where he won at least 20 games in each season as the general of the Golden Flashes' program. During his tenure with the Golden Flashes - Christian competed a record of 138-58 for the highest winning percentage (.704) in Mid-American Conference history.

Under the guidance and leadership of Christian - the Golden Flashes garnered five post-season appearances in six campaigns - including a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2006 and 2008. Not only was the former Kent State head coach selected as the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year in two of the last three seasons - but Christian also led his team to its first-ever top-25 ranking after peaking at 23rd in the nation in the Associated Press poll and 24th in the ESPN/USA Today poll.

While the Golden Flashes excelled in non-conference action - Christian's teams saved their best games for Mid-American Conference opponents as Kent State recorded a 79-28 record (.738 winning percentage) while never finishing lower than second in the East Division during his six-year tenure. Over the course of his final three seasons - Christian led the Golden Flashes to a 40-10 (.800 winning percentage) conference mark - including a pair of Mid-American Conference Tournament Championships.

Christian's teams provided headaches for all opponents - but none more than those that stepped onto the floor of the M.A.C. Center (Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center). In his time as head coach - the Golden Flashes recorded a 71-14 (.835 winning percentage) advantage on their home floor - which included a perfect 16-0 record during the 2007-08 campaign.

In each of his six seasons - the Golden Flashes notched at least nine victories at home to go along with 11 or more triumphs in his final five campaigns. Christian's teams recorded a record of 62-9 (.873 winning percentage) and were one of 11 teams in country to finished the regular season undefeated on their home court. Kent State ended the 2007-08 campaign with the 10th-longest home court winning streak in the nation and won 24 of its last 25 home contests.

In his six seasons as head coach for the Golden Flashes - Christian climbed to second place on the all-time career victories at Kent State with 138 - which was only 10 triumphs shy of the 148 wins set by Jim McDonald. However - it took McDonald over a decade to record 148 victories where Christian was on-pace to break that mark early in his seventh season as head coach.

Christian's numbers stand among some of the top collegiate coaches in the country as he ended the 2007-08 campaign ranked third among all active coaches who recorded at least 20 victories in every season as a head coach - joining Mark Few (9 | Gonzaga) and Thad Matta (7 | Butler, Xavier, Ohio State). Kent State was also one of six schools in the nation to recorded 10 consecutive six seasons of 20 or more victories - joining Duke, Kansas, Florida, Gonzaga and Creighton - with seven of those teams with Christian on the staff.

The 2007-08 campaign presented itself with one of the greatest seasons in the history of Kent State men's basketball. The Golden Flashes finished with a 28-7 overall record - including a school record 25 regular-season triumphs - en route to securing their second Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament championship. For the second time in the last three seasons - Christian guided the Golden Flashes to a berth in the NCAA Tournament where Kent State recorded a ninth-seed - which was their highest seed in program history.

In addition - Christian led the Golden Flashes to their second-most victories in program history with 28 that only trailed the 2001-02 squad that finished with a 30-6 overall record and advanced to the Elite Eight under former coach Stan Heath. For his efforts - Christian was recognized as the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year and joined Gary Waters as the only two coaches in Kent State history to collect that hardware on two occasions.

Under the guidance and mentorship of Christian - Al Fisher was named the 2008 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year while becoming the second Kent State standout to earn that honor in three seasons. Also - Haminn Quaintance became the third Golden Flash to be honored as the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year while also becoming the first player in NCAA Division I history to notch over 1,300 points, 850 rebounds, 250 blocks, 250 assists and 200 steals during his four-year career. While Fisher and Quaintance earned Player of the Year recognition - the Golden Flashes also had more award winners in Mike Scott and Chris Singletary - who garnered All-Mid-American Conference second team and honorable mention accolades, respectively.

Christian guided 16 players to Mid-American Conference team laurels - including six first team selections - to go along with four MAC Defensive Players of the Year and a pair of MAC Players of the Year award winners during his career with the Golden Flashes.

During the 2007-08 campaign - Christian became the first coach in Mid-American Conference history to win 20 or more games in each of his first six seasons. Kent State notched three winning streaks of five or more games during the season - including a key road victory over 23rd-ranked St. Mary's (Calif.) in O'Reilly's ESPNU Bracket Buster. The Golden Flashes also earned runner-up laurels at the Chicago Invitational after defeating Coppin State, Longwood and Illinois State then dropping a tough decision to former coaching mate Sean Miller of Xavier.

Christian made history during the 2006-07 campaign when he recorded his 100th career victory making him the fastest head men's basketball coach in Kent State history to reach the century mark. The 100th career victory for Christian came on the road at Ball State in Mid-American Conference action and allowed him to become the second leader of the Golden Flashes to reach the milestone.

The Golden Flashes recorded their ninth consecutive 20-plus win season and the fifth straight under Christian when Kent State notched a 21-11 overall record - including a 12-4 mark in Mid-American Conference history. That season - Christian guided the Golden Flashes to 12 victoryes over their final 15 games to reach the 20-game plateau.

Under his watch - Omni Smith and Mike Scott were both honored following the season by the Mid-American Conference with post-season accolades earning second team and honorable mention laurels, respectively. Also - Armon Gates became the second player in earn MAC All-Academic Team lauresl that season while Rodriquez Sherman and Chris Singletary had the distinction of becoming the first Kent State rookie teammates to be selected to the MAC All-Freshman Team in the same season.

During the 2005-06 season - Kent State earned its first berth in the NCAA Tournament under Christian as the Golden Flashes recorded a 25-9 overall record - including a 15-3 mark in conference action en route to securing first place in the East Division. The Golden Flashes went into the MAC Tournament as the number-one seed where they swept the competition in Buffalo, Ohio and Toledo en route to earning a berth against nationally-ranked Pitt in the NCAA Tournament.

One of the biggest victories of the season for the Golden Flashes came against Butler in ESPN's Bracket Busters following a 80-76 overtime victory. That season - Kent State recorded a pair of winning streaks of six games or more with a season-high coming from January 4th to January 24th. The Golden Flashes were one of the hottest teams in the country at the end of the season during the 2005-06 campaign as they captured 19 of their final 23 games.

For the first time in his career - Christian was selected as the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year while several members of the Golden Flashes earned individual award recognition - including the MAC Player of the Year DeAndre Haynes. Haynes and Jay Youngblood were both named to the first team All-Mid-American Conference while Kevin Warzynski was selected as an honorable mention award winner.

Christian notched his third consecutive 20-win season during the 2004-05 campaign where the Golden Flashes notched a 20-13 overall record - including an 11-7 mark in conference action. That season - Kent State notched key non-conference victories over Florida State and Creighton. Kent State received their third consecutive bid to the National Invitation Tournament where they dropped an 88-80 overtime decision on the road at Western Kentucky.

The Golden Flashes had a pair of Mid-American Conference all-star performers that season as Jason Edwin and Kevin Warzynski were both selected to the honorable mention squad. In addition - Warzynski was selected as the Mid-American Conference Sixth Man of the Year for the Golden Flashes.

In his second season with Kent State - Christian led the Golden Flashes to a 22-9 overall record with a first-place finish in the Mid-American Conference East Division following a 13-5 league mark. The Golden Flashes earned their second straight National Invitation Tournament bid that season after reaching the championship game of the MAC Tournament. The Golden Flashes posted their second consecutive 20-plus win season under Christian - which included a nationally-televised victory over Creighton as part of ESPN's Bracket Buster Challenge.

That season - John Edwards was selected as the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year to go along with first team All-MAC laurels. Christian also guided a pair of players to All-MAC recognition in Eric Haut and DeAndre Haynes - who earned second team and honorable mention, respectively.

Christian was recognized as the NABC District 10 Coach of the Year following the season after leading a team that lost an All-American and a pair of 1,000-point scorers to a 22-9 overall record. Despite the loss in the line-up for the Golden Flashes - Kent State still ranked in the top-20 nationally in assists as well as made a name for themselves as one of the top three-point shooting teams in the country.

The former Kent State head men's basketball coach earned national recognition during his first campaign in 2002-03 as he was selected as the National Rookie Coach of the Year by Basketball Times after leading the Golden Flashes to a 22-9 overall record - including a 12-6 mark in conference action. After finishing first in the East Division in the Mid-American Conference - Kent State advanced to the MAC Tournament Championship Game as well as the National Invitation Tournament.

Christian also guided Antonio Gates - who is now a Pro Bowl tight end for the San Diego Chargers - to honorable mention All-American laurels as well as runner-up for the MAC Player of the Year. Gates recorded a program record 640 points that season - averaging 20.6 points per game - to go along with 7.7 boards per contest. Gates was one of two Golden Flashes to earn MAC post-season laurels as Eric Haut - who is TCU's Director of Basketball Operations - was selected as an honorable mention All-Mid-American Conference award recipient.

Following a short time off of the coaching circuit - Christian returned to the college courts in 2001-02 as the top assistant under former Kent State and current University of South Florida head men's basketball coach Stan Heath for a record-breaking season for the Golden Flashes. Kent State notched a school record 30 victories en route to capturing the program's first regular-season Mid-American Conference title following a 17-1 mark in conference action.

In the NCAA Tournament - the Golden Flashes defeated Oklahoma State in the first round before handing Alabama at 71-58 setback in the second round. In the Sweet Sixteen - Kent State defeated Pitt by a 78-73 score making the Golden Flashes the first Mid-American Conference program to reach the Elite Eight since 1964. In the South Regional Championships - the Golden Flashes suffered an 81-69 setback to national runner-ups Indiana.

During the 2001-02 campaign - Kent State rallied off a conference-record 21 consecutive victories before falling in the NCAA Tournament to Indiana while capturing the conference title by a record five games. With plenty of team success during the 2001-02 campaign came individual recognition as Demetric Shaw was selected as the MAC Defensive Player of the Year while Trevor Huffman and Andrew Mitchell were both selected as first team All-Mid-American Conference award winners.

The Octagon Days
Prior to joining the Kent State coaching staff - Christian spent two years with Octagon Sports Marketing and Management in McLean, Va., as a college basketball talent evaluator. During his time with Octagon Sports Marketing and Management - Christian worked with over 20 NBA standouts where he conducted individual workouts with talents - including current NBA players Brendan Haywood, Jacque Vaughn and Chris Mihm.

The Pitt Days
Christian spent three seasons at the University of Pittsburgh - a member of the Big East Conference - where he served as an assistant coach under his former high school coach Ralph Willard - who is currently the head men's basketball coach at The College of the Holy Cross.

During his time with the Panthers - Christian aided the development of Vonteego Cummings - who was a two-time All-Big East Conference award winner as well as a former NBA talent for the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors. In addition to the talent of Cummings - Christian also played a role in the progression of former All-Big East Conference performer Isaac Hawkins.

The Miami (Ohio) Days
Christian served as an assistant coach under former Miami (Ohio) and current Arizona State head men's basketball coach Herb Sendek during the 1995-96 campaign. The coaching staff put together by Sendek that season served as an all-star cast almost a decade later with three current NCAA Division I head coaches coming from that program in Christian, Sean Miller (Xavier) and Thad Matta (Ohio State).

In his single season with the RedHawks - Miami (Ohio) recorded a 21-8 overall record - including a 12-6 mark in Mid-American Conference action. The RedHawks earned a berth in the National Invitation Tournament during the 1995-96 season.

The Western Kentucky Days
The TCU head men's basketball coach notched a pair of trips to Bowling Green, Ky., as a member of the Western Kentucky men's basketball program. Christian got his first taste of collegiate coaching under his former mentor Ralph Willard as a part-time assistant coach for two campaigns.

In his first two seasons - Western Kentucky notched a 35-25 record - including a 21-11 overall record during the 1991-92 campaign. That season - the Hilltoppers advanced to the National Invitation Tournament in addition to assisting Western Kentucky to their first 20-win season in over five campaigns.

Christian returned to the Hilltoppers for the 1994-95 campaign where he helped Western Kentucky notch a 27-4 overall record - including a 17-1 record in Sun Belt Conference action. That season - Western Kentucky recorded the fourth-most victories in program history to go along with crowns in both the regular-season and tournament championships en route to securing a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

The St. Francis (Pa.) Days
Christian's first full-time assistant coaching position came at St. Francis (Pa.) - a member of the Northeast Conference - under Tom McConnell. In his two seasons with the Red Flashes - Christian guided the development of two-time All-Northeast Conference performer Deon George and Jason Roberts.

The Playing Days
A native of Bethpage, New York - Christian was an all-state guard at St. Dominic High School while playing for former Pitt and current Holy Cross head men's basketball coach Ralph Willard. Following his prep career - Christian was recruited by current Louisville head men's basketball coach Rick Pitino at Boston University where he played a pair of seasons before transferring to the University of Rhode Island.

Christian played his final two campaigns under Tom Penders at the University of Rhode Island where he helped the Rams reach the Sweet Sixteen of the 1988 NCAA Tournament. The former standout guard guided the Rams to victories over Missouri and Syracuse before dropping a 73-72 decision to Duke for the right to advance to the Elite Eight.

After earning his bachelor's degree in consumer affairs from the University of Rhode Island in 1988 - Christian spent one season playing professionally in Australia for the Sydney City Comets.

Off the Floor
Christian and his wife - Patty - were married in the Summer of 2005, and the TCU head men's basketball coach has two children - MacKenzie (11) and Zachary (2). The Christian family resides in Fort Worth.