Xavier University seeks a new coach. A familiar name appears in the news: Chris Mack. Rumors claim Mack might return to Cincinnati to lead the Musketeers for the 2024–2025 season. A recent social media post stopped that talk.
On Tuesday night, Mack spoke to the College of Charleston community. It had been almost a year since he joined. He confirmed that he will coach the Cougars for a second season. He showed clear joy in building on his first year. Mack said, "Run it back," as he aimed for better results in the 2025–26 season.
“Cougar Nation,” Mack began in his message posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Just about a year ago my family joined me at Cistern Yard to celebrate the start of something special here in Charleston. You have been incredibly supportive from day one. The Macks can’t wait to run it back in year two. Better than ever. Go Cougs!!”
Xavier now looks for a leader after Sean Miller left for Texas. Mack once led Xavier well from 2009 to 2018. He helped move the team from the Atlantic 10 to the Big East with skill. Under his watch, the Musketeers went to nine NCAA Tournaments. They reached the Sweet Sixteen three times and made one run to the Elite Eight. They lost only one first-round game. The team earned top seed (No. 1 in 2018) and low seed (No. 12 in 2014). Notably, as an 11-seed, they upset teams seeded sixth, third, and second in the Elite Eight run.
Though Mack had a great record at Xavier, he has removed his name from the running.
Mack faced a tough challenge in his first year at College of Charleston. He took over from Pat Kelsey when hopes for a strong season were high. The Cougars earned NCAA Tournament berths two years in a row for the first time since the late 1990s but did not win the tournament under his lead. He ended his first season with a 24–9 overall record and a 13–5 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Cougars finished third in the conference. A one-point loss to UNC-Wilmington in the CAA Tournament semifinals ended their run by a narrow margin.
The College of Charleston athletic director, Matt Roberts, can now rest easy. He no longer faces another search for a coach. With Mack on the job for another season, the focus shifts to making a good program even better.
