Casey Long to join Mocs as assistant coach

photo UTC's head mens basketball coach John Shulman

Mocs basketball coach John Shulman will announce the addition of former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga point guard Casey Long to the coaching staff on Monday afternoon.

"I have always wanted to get him back as one of our coaches," Shulman said Monday at a news conference announcing the move. "I always thought he had a chance to be a star in this business.

"I wanted a guy who loved Chattanooga, and I wanted a guy who was invested in Chattanooga and our players. ... There was only one guy who had that kind of passion."

Long played for UTC from 2004 through 2007. He led the Mocs to the 2005 Southern Conference tournament championship and into the NCAA Tournament where they led Chris Paul's Wake Forest team at halftime.

Shulman knew his decision on Friday, when he said, "I've never been more excited about a hire," without disclosing Long as a the hire.

Long, who came to UTC from Leesville, La., averaged 8.4 points, 3.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game during his career.

See Tuesday's Times Free Press for more coverage.

Follow David Uchiyama on Twitter at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.

Upcoming Events