News Summary
The University of North Carolina at Asheville has appointed Andrew Garcia as the new assistant men’s basketball coach. Previously at Mercyhurst University and USC Upstate, Garcia aims to enhance the Bulldogs’ performance in the Big South Conference. His coaching journey includes successful stints and a rich background in player development, contributing to winning seasons and tournament appearances. As he embarks on this new role, Garcia expresses excitement about contributing to UNC Asheville’s basketball program.
Asheville, NC – The University of North Carolina at Asheville has welcomed Andrew Garcia as the new assistant men’s basketball coach, as announced by head coach Mike Morrell on June 2, 2025. Garcia joins the Bulldogs’ coaching staff aiming to support their efforts in the competitive Big South Conference.
Before taking the role at UNC Asheville, Garcia spent a season at Mercyhurst University, where he contributed to the team posting a 15-16 overall record and a 9-7 mark in conference play. Under his guidance, Mercyhurst secured victories in their last two conference games of the season. It’s worth noting that Mercyhurst was transitioning to Division I during Garcia’s tenure and therefore was ineligible for postseason competition.
Garcia’s coaching career includes notable success at USC Upstate, where he spent five years prior to his position at Mercyhurst. While with USC Upstate, Garcia played a pivotal role in leading the team to a second-seed finish in the Big South basketball tournament during the 2021-22 season. This successful year culminated in a program-record ten conference victories and marked USC Upstate’s first-ever appearance in the tournament semifinals since joining the Big South.
Before his tenure at USC Upstate, Garcia made his mark as the head coach at Chatham University, where he became the program’s first-ever men’s basketball coach. Over three seasons, he guided the Cougars to their initial berth in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Tournament and also celebrated their first PAC Tournament victory in 2016.
Coaching Background and Experience
Andrew Garcia’s coaching experience extends back to his time at Carnegie Mellon, where he served as an assistant coach for three years. In this capacity, he was the recruiting coordinator and handled opponent scouting and team video instruction. Earlier in his career, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Flagler College, focusing on player workouts and recruitment strategies.
Garcia began his coaching journey as a graduate assistant at Marshall University, where he worked for two seasons. During this time, he gained experience coaching players who would later advance to professional careers, further solidifying his coaching credentials.
Playing Career and Education
Before embarking on his coaching path, Garcia played college basketball at Tulane University under former USC Upstate coach Dave Dickerson. He led Tulane in assists twice and earned recognition as a member of the Conference USA All-Academic Team. Garcia’s athletic career began in 2003 as a walk-on for the football team at the University of Pittsburgh, showcasing his diverse talent in sports.
Garcia graduated from Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh in 2002 and later earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Tulane in 2006. He holds a master’s degree in adult and technical education from Marshall, completed in 2009.
Personal Life
In addition to his coaching endeavors, Andrew Garcia is a dedicated family man. He is married to Brittany, and they have three children: Penelope, Nikolai, and Oliver. As he steps into his new role at UNC Asheville, Garcia expresses enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the program’s success in the Big South Conference, while also expressing gratitude toward Coach Morrell and the UNC Asheville Athletics Department.
With Garcia’s extensive background in coaching and player development, UNC Asheville anticipates a positive impact on their men’s basketball program as they prepare for upcoming challenges in the conference.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Asheville Athletics Department Celebrates Staff Excellence
UNC Asheville Appoints Alex Raburn as Interim Baseball Coach
NBA Brawl Erupts in Miami After Heat’s Narrow Victory Over Rockets
Hoosiers Gear Up for Historic Showdown Against Buckeyes in Top-Five Football Clash
Major Cheating Scandal Unveiled in Texas Teacher Certification System
Additional Resources
- UNC Asheville: Andrew Garcia Joins Men’s Basketball Coaching Staff
- WLOS: UNC Asheville Play for Kay Game
- Charlotte Observer: College Sports News
- Wikipedia: University of North Carolina at Asheville
- Google Search: UNC Asheville Basketball
