By Mike Hogan, Staff Writer
Dave Moore, St. Bonaventure Bonnies assistant basketball coach for the last 11 seasons, is moving up the ranks of the coaching ladder.
Moore has spent the entirety of his 20 years as an assistant coach scattered throughout NCAA Divisons I, II and III. He gained success in the past 11 seasons with St. Bonaventure under head coach Mark Schmidt where he helped bring Bonaventure basketball to new heights. Moore contributed to 192 wins, two NCAA tournament trips and has helped develop many players. While it was a long wait for Moore, he has finally been called on to do what he has always wanted in his career.
On April 16, Moore was named the head coach at The University of West Georgia. Moore is set to become just the ninth head coach in the program’s history. In UWG’s official press release, their Athletic Director, Daryl Dickey, expressed his excitement about his new leader of the UWG men’s basketball program.
“It is with great pleasure we introduce Dave Moore as our new head men’s basketball coach,” said Dickey. “During the interview process on our campus, it was evident that Dave’s energy, passion and vision for our program was outstanding and really set him apart.”
In his time at St. Bonaventure University, Moore was known to be the key factor in player development and recruiting. His efforts at Bonaventure helped Schmidt and the rest of the Bonnies coaching staff bring the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball program back to life. And to Dickey, recruiting and development is a big part of why Moore got the job.
“It is evident that Dave understands the caliber of competition in the Gulf South Conference, and certainly the importance of recruiting as an integral part of a successful program.”
Also found in UWG’s official release, Moore expressed that it was a long journey to the one opportunity that he has been waiting for.
“It’s an honor to be named the head men’s basketball coach at the University of West Georgia,” said Moore. “It’s an opportunity I’ve waited a long time for, and I’m beyond excited to get started.”
Moore expressed his thankfulness toward the people who believed in him enough to pick him for the job and embraced his new community at UWG by expressing a great deal of excitement.
“I would like to thank Coach Dickey and the rest of the committee for putting their faith in me,” Moore said. “My family and I are excited to become a part of the community in Carrollton and can’t wait to meet everyone. Go Wolves!”
While Moore is leaving behind his Bona family here, there is no doubt to anyone that the opportunity that he has received is well earned. After years of being an assistant coach, Moore is set to take control of a UWG team that hasn’t seen a ton of recent success, as the Wolves are coming off a 14-14 season and haven’t reached the NCAA division II men’s basketball tournament since the 2015-16 season.
