Tulsa Names Michigan State's Wojcik as Head Basketball Coach
3/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 14, 2005
Click here to view video or listen to audio from today's press conference.
Tulsa, Oklahoma - The University of Tulsa today named Doug Wojcik as head basketball coach of the Golden Hurricane, announced TU's Director of Athletics Judy MacLeod. Following 15 years as a collegiate assistant coach, Wojcik becomes the 28th head coach in Tulsa basketball history.
Wojcik, 40 (4-12-64), has spent his 15 years as an assistant coach at Navy, Notre Dame, North Carolina and Michigan State.
Wojcik comes to Tulsa from Michigan State University where he has spent the past two seasons on the Spartan coaching staff. He helped the Spartans post a two-year mark of 40-18 overall and 25-7 in the Big 10 Conference, while finishing in second-place both years. Wojcik was promoted to associate head coach prior to this past season, joining an impressive list of recent associate head coaches at Michigan State, including current college head coaches Tom Crean (Marquette) and Brian Gregory (Dayton), as well as current Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo.
"We are extremely pleased to have Doug as our basketball coach," said MacLeod. "He brings the personal characteristics and qualities we are looking for in a head coach. He has coached a lot of successful basketball teams in the past as an assistant coach, and we look forward to him continuing that success as a head coach."
"I'm excited about the opportunity to be the head basketball coach at The University of Tulsa," said Wojcik. "I'd like to thank Dr. Upham and Judy MacLeod for the opportunity they have given my family and me. They have been terrific to deal with during this entire process."
"Tulsa has a rich tradition in basketball, and I look forward to continuing that same success that has seen Tulsa make 18 postseason appearances in the past 25 years. It's obvious that Tulsa has great fans, solid community and campus support, a tremendous facility and outstanding players that have donned the blue and gold in the past. Our entrance into Conference USA will only enhance the Tulsa basketball program," added Wojcik.
Before coming to Michigan State, Wojcik spent three years as an assistant coach at North Carolina (2000-03). In his first season at UNC, the Tar Heels earned a No. 1 national ranking late in the regular season, posted a 26-7 overall mark, 13-3 league record and won a share of the ACC regular season championship. He was named a "Head Coach in the Waiting" by Athlon Sports in 2001 and by ESPN's Jay Bilas in 2003. Wojcik was also named an "Assistant Coach on the Rise" by ESPN.com's Andy Katz.
At North Carolina, he helped bring in classes ranked second in the nation in both 2001 and 2002. These classes included one McDonald's All-American in 2001 (Jawad Williams) and three in 2002 (Raymond Felton, Rashad McCants and Sean May). Wojcik also served as head coach of the junior varsity program at North Carolina for three years.
Prior to that, Wojcik spent one season on the coaching staff at Notre Dame, helping the Fighting Irish post a 22-15 record and earn a berth in the 2000 NIT Championship Game. In his one season at Notre Dame, he recruited one McDonald's All-American (Chris Thomas).
Wojcik began his coaching career in 1990-91 at his alma mater, the United States Naval Academy, where he spent nine seasons as an assistant coach. During his tenure, Navy won three Patriot League titles and competed in the NCAA Tournament in 1994, 1997 and 1998. During the 1997 season, Navy became the fourth school in NCAA history to improve its conference record in five consecutive seasons.
"We conducted a careful and detailed national search, while consulting some of the best basketball minds in the country. We were fortunate to have a group of remarkably well-qualified candidates," said President Steadman Upham. "In Doug Wojcik, we have selected an experienced collegiate coach who has worked at the highest level of Division I basketball. He is an individual who is a leader with a vision of Tulsa basketball as a nationally prominent program."
As a collegiate player (1983-86), Wojcik led Navy to the NCAA Tournament in three straight seasons and to a three-year record of 82-17 as the starting point guard. He established Navy school records for most assists in a game (14), season (251) and career (714), while setting the single season mark as a junior.
At Navy, Wojcik was a part, either as a player or coach, in every conference title won by Navy and in six of the school's 11 NCAA Tournament bids. Wojcik was a member of Navy's 1986 team that defeated Tulsa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. He tallied 4 points, 8 assists and 2 steals in 37 minutes for an 87-68 Navy victory.
He earned his bachelor's degree in physical sciences from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1987.
After graduation, Wojcik was commissioned as a Naval officer and attended Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island. He was assigned to the USS W.S. Sims out of Mayport, Florida, where he served as First Lieutenant and Engineering Officer for two years prior to beginning his coaching career.
A native of Wheeling, West Virginia, Wojcik and his wife, Lael, a 1990 Naval Academy graduate who earned letters in basketball and track, have two sons: Paxson Walter (4) and Denham Miner (2).
The Doug Wojcik Capsule
Personal
Birthdate: April 12, 1964
Hometown: Wheeling, West Virginia
Family: wife Lael (pronounced like gayle, but with an "L") and sons, Paxson Walter, 4, and Denham Miner, 2.
Education
High School: Central Catholic High School (West Virginia), 1983
College: Navy (bachelor's degree in physical science), 1987
Playing Experience
High School: Had a solid basketball career at Central Catholic High School . . . was coached by current Wake Forest Head Coach Skip Prosser.
College: Earned three letters in basketball at Navy (1983-86) . . . started every game at point guard for three seasons, helping Navy post a three-year record of 82-17 . . . was a teammate of former San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson . . . Navy posted a 26-6 record his sophomore season, followed by marks of 30-5 and 26-6 in his final two seasons . . . established Navy records for most assists in a game (14), season (251) and career (714), while setting the single-season mark as a junior . . . helped lead Navy to three Colonial Conference Championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances . . . in 1986, teammate David Robinson turned over his Colonial Athletic Association MVP award to Wojcik, citing his unselfish play and leadership abilities.
Wojcik's Year-By-Year Record as an Assistant Coach
| Year | School | W-L | Pct. | Postseason | Head Coach |
| 90-91 | Navy | 8-21 | .276 | --- | Pete Hermann |
| 91-92 | Navy | 6-22 | .214 | --- | Pete Hermann |
| 92-93 | Navy | 8-19 | .296 | --- | Don DeVoe |
| 93-94 | Navy | 17-13 | .567 | NCAA | Don DeVoe |
| 94-95 | Navy | 20-9 | .689 | --- | Don Devoe |
| 95-96 | Navy | 15-12 | .556 | --- | Don DeVoe |
| 96-97 | Navy | 20-9 | .689 | NCAA | Don DeVoe |
| 97-98 | Navy | 19-11 | .633 | NCAA | Don DeVoe |
| 98-99 | Navy | 20-7 | .741 | --- | Don DeVoe |
| 99-00 | Notre Dame | 22-15 | .595 | NIT | Matt Doherty |
| 00-01 | North Carolina | 26-7 | .788 | NCAA | Matt Doherty |
| 01-02 | North Carolina | 8-20 | .286 | --- | Matt Doherty |
| 02-03 | North Carolina | 19-16 | .543 | NIT | Matt Doherty |
| 03-04 | Michigan State | 18-11 | .621 | NCAA | Tom Izzo |
| 04-05 | Michigan State | 22-7 | .786 | NCAA | Tom Izzo |
What they're saying about Doug Wojcik:
Tom Izzo, Head Basketball Coach, Michigan State --
Tulsa is getting an incredible coach, but an even a better person. I've been very fortunate at Michigan State, as you can tell with the assistant coaches that have gone on to be head coaches from here. I recruited Doug for our coaching staff because of his loyalty and work ethic.
He became my right hand man immediately. He adapted well last year, but was even more comfortable this year. Doug has done a great job for Michigan State, and will do the same at Tulsa. He has a great feel for the game of basketball, which I believe is extremely important from a head coach's perspective.
He's picked up on everything from how to build a program from a fans standpoint, to national recruiting, to every aspect of a program. One of his biggest strength's is that he is a people person from a program standpoint. He'll be involved in The University of Tulsa, not just the Tulsa men's basketball program. He has great people skills. He'll make in-roads quickly at Tulsa.
Skip Prosser, Head Basketball Coach, Wake Forest --
This is truly a terrific day for Tulsa basketball. Tulsa has a legacy of outstanding coaches and Doug Wojcik will only enhance this tradition. Doug is a high-quality individual who has his priorities well-aligned. Doug is competitive, intelligent, conscientious and is a terrific leader. Not a home run but a grand slam for the University of Tulsa.
Jay Bilas, ESPN College Basketball Analyst --
I think Doug is one of brightest young coaches in America and I have said so on a number of occasions over the past couple years. He is intelligent, organized and focused. He has a great feel for the game of basketball. I played against him when he was at Navy and I was at Duke, he was an intense competitor then, and he is now as well. He's a true gentleman. Tulsa has hired itself one heck of a basketball coach.
