Tom Garrick Tabbed As Women's Basketball Coach

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Tom Garrick Tabbed As Women’s Basketball Coach

LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Director of Athletics Dana Skinner has announced the hiring of Tom Garrick as the eighth head coach of the River Hawk women’s basketball program.

Garrick comes to the Mill City after spending the previous three seasons as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team at Boston College, helping develop two ACC All-Rookie Team selections.

And we’re underway! pic.twitter.com/mHJ36Xe5ph

— UMassLowellAthletics (@RiverHawkNation) April 12, 2018

“We are pleased to welcome Tom Garrick to the UMass Lowell family as the new head coach of women’s basketball,” commented Skinner. “I have followed Tom’s career for many years, dating back to his days as an outstanding player who made it to the NBA, and throughout his coaching positions in the A-10, SEC and the ACC. His breadth of experience in Division I and the fact that he is so highly regarded at every stop he’s made in his coaching career made him the choice over a number of outstanding candidates. We are excited to work with Tom as the next coach of the River Hawks.”

Since returning to his alma mater, Rhode Island, as an assistant for the men’s program in 1998, Garrick has been a coach at the Division I level including additional stops at Virginia and Vanderbilt.

“I am excited and grateful to join the UMass Lowell family,” said Garrick. “With hard work and integrity, all dreams are possible. I look forward to making those possibilities our reality.”

In August 2004, the four-year NBA veteran was named the women’s basketball head coach at Rhode Island where he earned the second-most Atlantic-10 wins in program history, racking up 30 conference wins in his five years at the helm.

After arriving at Vanderbilt as an assistant in 2009, Garrick was promoted to associate head coach in 2013. The Commodores advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his first season and had four additional tournament berths with him on the sideline. Vanderbilt posted a record of 120-74 with four 20-plus win seasons, as well.

An exciting time for our program! Relive today's press conference, take a look at the photo gallery and see what others are saying about our new HC! https://t.co/NNqa8Ltfr7 #RiseUp #AEHoops #UnitedInBlue

— UMass Lowell WBB (@RiverHawkWBB) April 12, 2018

The Rhode Island native played four years as a point guard for the Rams from 1984-88, helping his team to an appearance in the NIT as a junior, and to the Sweet 16 as a senior. In his final season, URI posted a 28-7 mark and knocked off Missouri and Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament.

Garrick ranks 14th all-time with 1,573 career points, fifth with 407 assists and third with 189 steals. The URI Athletic Hall of Famer holds the single-season mark with 88 steals, sits second with 718 points and his 50-point performance against Rutgers in 1988 is tied for the best single-game performance in program history.

After graduating with a degree in communications, Garrick was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round of the 1988 NBA Draft. After three seasons with the Clippers, he spent time with the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Dallas Mavericks. Post-NBA, Garrick played in Germany, Turkey, and Spain.