
Title: | Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach |
Phone: | 740-587-6778 |
Email: | sullivanc@denison.edu |
Year: | 8th Year |
The 2018-19 season marks Chris Sullivan's eighth season at Denison and his third year as associate head men's basketball coach.
With Sullivan's assistance, Denison basketball is in the midst of one of its most successful stretches in program history. Over the last three seasons, DU has totaled 54 victories, an average of 18 wins per season.
In 2016-17, the Big Red posted the winningest season in program history, finishing 22-5 overall and 15-3 in NCAC play while being nationally ranked for the majority of the season. Seniors David Meurer and Jett Speelman were named first-team All-NCAC performers.
In Sullivan's six seasons at Denison, the Big Red has won 102 total games. At the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, he was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Under Armour 30 under 30 list highlighting the top men's basketball coaches in the nation under the age of 30.
In 2016, the Big Red defeated Wittenberg, Ohio Wesleyan, and Wooster to win the program's first conference tournament championship. In 2012, DU came close, advancing to the program's first-ever NCAC Tournament championship game. Ten players have earned all-conference accolades and two players, Dimonde Hale and Jett Speelman, were named all-region. Since coming to Denison the Big Red have made seven straight North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament appearances.
Prior to his arrival in Granville, Sullivan capped a stellar career with Wittenberg University, leading the Tigers to back-to-back 20 win seasons and to the second round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Sullivan joined the 1,000-point club at Wittenberg in a win over Wooster on February 12, 2011.
Sullivan started his collegiate basketball career at Franklin and Marshall University playing for the winningest coach in the history of Division III basketball, Glenn Robinson. After his freshman season, Sullivan transferred to Wittenberg University and as a junior was named second-team All-NCAC. In his third year, Sullivan tied the Wittenberg all-time season mark for three-point field goals made in a season (90) and finished sixth in the nation with 3.2 three-point field goals made per game.
During his senior campaign, Sullivan led the nation in three-pointers per game (4.1) and set the Wittenberg and NCAC record for three-pointers made in a season (120). He was named first-team All-NCAC, first-team All-Great Lakes Region, and was selected to the D3hoops.com All-America team. Sullivan graduated from Wittenberg in 2011 with a degree in Sport Management.
A native of Upper Arlington, Ohio, Sullivan played his high school basketball at Upper Arlington High School. As a senior, Sullivan led Upper Arlington to its first district title in 60 years and was named first-team All-Ohio Capital Conference. Sullivan’s 92 three-point field goals made during his senior season currently ranks 18th all-time in the state of Ohio.
Sullivan and his wife, Kellen, live in Columbus, Ohio.