James Long Accepts University of Charleston Basketball Job

Former Mountaineer James Long was hired as the University of Charleston’s men’s basketball head coach on Monday night.

“HOME! Words can’t express how much this means. This is my dream job. I am going to pour my heart into the community, players, and everything we do. Thank you to Dr. Roth, Dr. Stevens, and the search committee for giving me a chance to live out my dream,” Long wrote on X (Twitter).

HOME!

Words can’t express how much this means. This is my dream job. I am going to pour my heart into the community, players, and everything we do. Thank you to Dr. Roth, Dr. Stevens, and the search committee for giving me a chance to live out my dream. #WINGSUP #CARES 🟡🦅 https://t.co/wH51SKQmog

— James Long (@CoachJamesLong) May 7, 2024

This past season, Long was at Davidson Day School, coaching the Patriots to a 24-7 record. Long coached his group to a State Championship in the NCISAA 2A Division.

Long last coached college basketball for WVU Tech. In his first season coaching, Long led the Golden Bears to a 23-8 record, finishing in first place in the River States Conference. In the 2020-21 season, Long coached WVU Tech to the River States Conference Championship, sending the Golden Bears to two straight NAIA National Championship appearances in 2021 and 2022.

Long has helped out with WVU’s alumni-based team, Best Virginia, in the TBT tournament since 2021, coaching in that as well.

The Charleston native played at West Virginia from 2013-17 before serving as an assistant director of basketball operations and video coordinator under Bob Huggins.