Lipscomb announces new MBB Head Coach Kevin Carroll

Lipscomb Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson announced this morning that Lipscomb had found their new men’s basketball head coach, in former Trevecca Nazarene University Head Coach Kevin Carroll.

With former Lipscomb Head Coach Lennie Acuff’s decision to accept the head coaching position at Samford University and return to Alabama, Lipscomb began a search for a new head coach for their men’s basketball team. Over the past week, Hutcheson met with dozens of candidates from coaching levels around the country to find the best fit for the team.

Carroll coached under Acuff for four years as one of his assistant coaches, so not only is he known for transforming basketball programs, but he’s also known at Lipscomb.

As Trevecca’s head coach for the past two seasons, Carroll has led the Trojans to the most wins in program history alongside the school’s first-ever South Region Poll ranking. He has experience with rebuilding teams and raising them to success, but he also embodies the values of Lipscomb, Hutcheson noted.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin back to Lipscomb,” Hutcheson said. “Kevin is an elite basketball mind. More importantly, he embodies the values of Lipscomb University and is gifted at building meaningful relationships with young people — as evidenced by the deep connections he maintains with former and current players. That says a lot about his character. He sees where the game is and where it’s going, and his ability to navigate change and elevate programs is exactly what we need at this exciting time for Lipscomb basketball.”

Lipscomb President Candice McQueen also spoke highly of Carroll alongside mentioning that she was excited to welcome him and his family back to Lipscomb.

“Coach Carroll has proven himself time and time again as a leader who builds programs the right way — with integrity, vision and a commitment to excellence,” said McQueen. “He understands the role athletics can play in shaping lives of student athletes and is a coach who lives out the values that define our community.”

While Carroll will take on the coaching role for the Bisons in a season of change, following the departure of not just Acuff, but also five seniors, four of whom frequently started for the team. He follows one of Lipscomb’s most successful seasons while a Division I team – including the team’s second appearance in the NCAA Tournament, fourth win in the ASUN regular season championship and third consecutive 20-plus win season, something that has only been seen once before for the Bisons before they entered Division I. Despite coming after this season, and despite facing a team ready for a rebuild, Carroll is not daunted by the prospects.

“I am honored and extremely humbled to have the opportunity to lead such a storied program as Lipscomb Basketball. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the people who have come before me and and the level of success that has been reached,” said Carroll. “My staff and I will work tirelessly to maintain the standard that everyone has come to expect while shining a light on one of the top Christian universities in the country. I can’t wait to get started…Horns Up!”

According to a press release from the Lipscomb athletics department, Carroll is “a native of Wildwood, Georgia, with more than 25 years of coaching experience, including 12 as a head coach at the high school and collegiate levels. Most recently, he served as head coach at Trevecca, where he orchestrated one of the most dramatic turnarounds in college basketball during the 2023–24 season, increasing the team’s win total by 14 games and tying a school record for wins. The following season, Trevecca shattered program records in total wins, conference wins and earned its first South Region ranking.”

“As head coach at Maryville University-St. Louis from 2010–2017, Carroll led the program through a successful transition from NCAA Division III to Division II, set a program record with 23 wins, and guided the Saints to their first 20-win season in 35 years. His teams included multiple All-Conference honorees and the program’s first GLVC Player of the Year and DII All-Americans. As the head coach at St. Pius X Catholic High School from 2003-2006, Carroll helped turn the program around from a six-win team in year one to a 24-win team in year three while winning only the second region championship in the fifty-year history of the school.”

Dr. McQueen said in a press release, “Thank you for your continued support of Lipscomb Athletics. We are excited for what lies ahead for the program. Please join me in welcoming Coach Kevin Carroll back to Lipscomb University.”

Feature image courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics.