Why California Baptist's Shocking Choice of Kyle Getter as Head Coach Could Change Everything – You Won't Believe What Happens Next!

California Baptist University (CBU) has made a significant move in its men’s basketball program by appointing Kyle Getter as its new head coach, announced on Monday. Getter, who takes over from Rick Croy, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to the position, including a national championship title during his tenure at the University of Virginia in 2019.

Croy's departure to become the associate head coach at Arizona State followed CBU's historic first appearance in the NCAA Tournament, making Getter's recruitment timely and crucial as the program transitions from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) to The Big West.

“Kyle Getter is the real deal,”

said Jay Bilas, an ESPN college basketball analyst. He praised Getter, emphasizing his qualifications as an “outstanding teacher and coach that has national championship experience” and a “principled leader and mentor” for students.

Getter, 47, recently completed his third season as the associate head coach at Notre Dame. Throughout his career, he has held assistant coaching positions at notable programs, including Virginia, where he helped secure the national title, and Liberty, Radford, and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he played a role in leading the Rams to their first Final Four in 2011. His success also includes several NCAA tournament victories over teams such as USC, Georgetown, Purdue, Florida State, and Kansas.

“Kyle Getter possesses the entire package as a basketball coach: impeccable character, incredible ability to relate to and impact people, and a phenomenal understanding of all that goes into winning basketball games,”

said Shaka Smart, former head coach at VCU and current head coach at Marquette.

Getter's coaching journey has included stops at Marshall, Wright State, and Dayton, where he contributed to the Flyers' successful 2002-03 season, finishing with a 24-6 record and winning the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship. His experience also extends to the NAIA, where he led Walsh University in Ohio to a remarkable 26-5 record in his only season, clinching the AMC Championship and reaching the NAIA Division II Sweet 16.

CBU's athletic director, Dr. Micah Parker, expressed confidence in Getter’s potential to elevate the program: “Kyle’s name kept popping up with people I have a deep respect for in men’s basketball. We talked to some outstanding coaches with very impressive resumes. Coach Getter’s experience winning championships and his obvious fit for our mission are both exciting.”

Getter's immediate focus will be on connecting with players and building upon the foundation laid by his predecessor. Last season, CBU finished with an impressive 25-9 record and claimed the WAC tournament title before facing Kansas in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

“My family and I are thrilled to join the California Baptist community,”

Getter said. “I’m grateful to Dr. Ellis and Dr. Parker for entrusting me with the growth and development of CBU basketball and its student athletes.”

As the 13th head coach in CBU's history, Getter must navigate the challenges of a changing conference landscape while aiming to continue the program's upward trajectory. His blend of experience and leadership qualities positions him to make a significant impact on CBU basketball and its student-athletes in the coming seasons.