2012-13 VaSID STATE COACH OF THE YEAR
2012-13 ODAC COACH OF THE YEAR
2010-11 NABC SOUTH REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
2010-11 ODAC COACH OF THE YEAR
Clay Nunley will begin his ninth season in charge of the WildCats men's basketball program in 2015-16.
In 2012-13, Nunley guided the WildCats to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, clinching an at-large bid to the tournament. Randolph set a program-record with 21 wins on the season, and also set the bar for most conference wins by a basketball team at the College with 11. Also, one of his athletes was voted as the Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year as well as earning the Jostens Trophy.
2010-11 was a banner year for the WildCat men's basketball squad, as the WildCats earned a spot in the ODAC title game. He also led the WildCats to an 18-10 overall mark, earning ODAC and South Region Coach of the Year accolades. 2011-12 saw much of the same though, as the WildCats earned their second straight appearance in the ODAC Tournament Championship game.
Nunley has coached five All-ODAC players in his tenure, including one ODAC first team performer, as well as a three-time ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He has coached one All-State and All-Region player, and has also had one of his athletes named ODAC Rookie of the Year.
He guided the program to its first ever win over Christendom College back in 2007, as well as its first win over a ranked opponent in a 64-61 win over No. 14 Eastern Mennonite University in 2010-11. He has helped Randolph earn its first-ever national ranking in 2012-13, placing No. 24 in the D3hoops.com poll. The WildCats were also regionally ranked for the first-time in 2012-13.
Nunley’s coaching background includes stints at the United States Military Academy and Wright State University. Prior to arriving at Randolph, Nunley served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the U.S. Military Academy for five years, where he was also involved in on-court instruction, scouting, and practice planning. During his time at West Point, Army recorded its largest margin of victory over Navy in 35 years and began the 2006-07 season with a 9-2 record and the most successful start at the Academy in 30 years. The success also garnered the Black Knights votes in the AP Top 25.
During his four years at Wright State, Nunley was a part of back-to-back 18- and 17-win seasons. The highlights included a victory over #7-ranked and eventual national champion Michigan State during the 1999-2000 season and a road win over previously unbeaten and #18-ranked Butler in 2002.
Nunley has had the privilege of coaching eight All-Conference performers and seven players who have gone on to play professionally.
Nunley was a four-year letter-winner at Goucher College. During his time at the Baltimore, Maryland campus, the Gophers captured two Capital Athletic Conference Championships and made two trips to the NCAA Tournament. The 1996-97 team set the school record for victories in a season. Nunley graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications in 1998.
Nunley lives with his wife Tara here in Lynchburg with his son, Landon, and daughter, Hannah.
Contact: 434-947-8487, e-mail
