Hardin-Simmons athletic director John Neese has named Craig Carse as the 26th head coach in the history of the men's basketball program.

Carse comes to Hardin-Simmons after a successful 13-year stint as the head coach at Division II Montana State-Billings, where he posted a career record of 211-137. He is 290-190 all-time as a head coach.

"I am appreciative of the opportunity to become a member of the Hardin-Simmons University family," said Carse. "My foundation was formed as a Division III student-athlete. I have been fortunate to coach conference championship and national tournament teams at the NCAA Division I, II and III and NAIA levels."

"I am blessed to have had the support of my wife and family. HSU is rich in tradition and excellence. I look forward to having a role in the continuation of the Cowboy success."

Carse has coached at the NCAA Division I, II and III and NAIA levels. He has championships in the Presidents' Athletic Conference, West Virginia Athletic Conference, the Southeastern Conference, the Pacific West Conference and the Heartland Conference.

"Craig has tremendous experience at all levels of NCAA basketball which certainly was a factor in our decision," said Neese. "He has also demonstrated a keen understanding of how important recruiting is at the Division III level. We believe he is committed to the values of Hardin-Simmons and that he has a long term plan for this program to continue to be one of the best in the American Southwest Conference."

He coached his MSUB teams to four NCAA Division II Tournament berths and three PacWest Conference Championships. The Yellowjackets led the nation in 3-pointers made per game in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2006. They were also the nation's leading scoring team in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002 with second place rankings in 1999, 2003 and 2006.

Prior to MSUB he spent two years as the Executive Vice President of the United State Basketball Academy. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach at Louisiana State under legendary head coach Dale Brown. During his tenure there he was the lead recruiter of legends Shaquille O'Neal and Chris Jackson and helped lead the Tigers to a No. 1 national ranking.

Prior to LSU, he coached at NAIA West Virginia State and he went 79-43, including a 57-8 mark in his final two seasons. His team played in the NAIA National Championship Final in 1987.

His first position as an assistant at Division III Bethany in 1977-1978 produced a Presidents Conference Championship and trip to the NCAA Tournament. He was then an assistant at NAIA Salem in West Virginia from 1978 through 1983. He helped guide the program to conference championships and an NAIA tournament berth.

Carse is a noted speaker and clinician. He has lectured and taught the game of basketball nationally and internationally, including a trip to Australia and most recently the Philippines. Carse has represented the United States in Europe where he lectured at the Super Cup. He has also instructed the Chinese National Teams.

Carse is a native of Sistersville, W.Va., and earned his undergraduate degree from Bethany and a master's degree from West Virginia.