Tulane's Finney To Remain At The Helm Of Men's Basketball Program

Shawn Finney

Tulane men’s basketball coach Shawn Finney has withdrawn his name from consideration for the head coaching position at Marshall University, he announced on Friday morning.

“The possible opportunity to return home to West Virginia and Marshall University was too much for me to ignore, but Tulane University has now become my home,” Finney, a Mullens, W.V., native, said. “I am very happy here at Tulane and I plan on continuing to build the Green Wave program to my original goals of reaching the top of Conference USA.”

“I am pleased that Shawn has chosen to remain at Tulane,” Athletic Director Rick Dickson said. “Anytime that somebody has the opportunity to combine professional and personal interests together it is an excellent opportunity. However, by choosing to remain at Tulane, Shawn has renewed his commitment to building a solid program here. He has done a great job in his first three years and has guided Tulane through a
tough transition and now we are in position to have great days ahead for Tulane basketball.”

In his first three years, Finney has increased Tulane’s victory total in each season. Last year, the Green Wave posted a 16-15 record and defeated Houston in the opening round of the Conference USA Tournament at Freedom Hall. The Wave fell to host and nationally-ranked Louisville in the next round.

“With the review that our department went through recently, I am convinced that we are a stronger program than we have ever been,” Finney said. “The support shown by our fans and alumni, as well as Athletic Director Rick Dickson and President Scott Cowen have reaffirmed to me that Tulane is the place to be.”

On Tuesday, the University’s Board completed a six-month athletics review with a unanimous decision to remain in Division I-A stating, “After a comprehensive review of the Athletics Department’s finances and plans, and directly influenced by the unprecedented and passionate support demonstrated by the Tulane and New Orleans community, the Board is confidant it an and will operate an intercollegiate athletics program that is, first and foremost, a model in terms of academic performance and graduation rates of its student athletes and is financially viable and accountable on a sustainable basis in support of the academic mission and goals of the University.”

Tulane opens its 2003-04 season on Tuesday, Nov. 25 against Southern University at Fogelman Arena.

“I am very excited about the upcoming season,” Finney continued. “We have a great group of players returning and an incoming class which I can not wait to work with on the court.”

Tulane’s recruiting class, featuring five freshmen from four states, has been ranked as high as No. 29 in the nation. The five freshmen will join eight returning players for the 2003-04 version of the Green Wave.