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�鶹���� has announced that Brent Owen has signed a new three-year contract extension to remain as head men’s basketball coach through April 2028.

Owen, who just completed his first year as �鶹����’s head coach, led the team to a record-breaking season, finishing 29-6, winning the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Tournament Championship, the NCAA DII Southeast Regional Championship, and advancing to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in Evansville, Indiana. This was the first time in program history �鶹���� has won an NCAA Division II Regional Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Owen was named the Coach of the Year in the SAC and Co-Coach of the Year for the NCAA DII Southeast Region.

“Over the last year I have felt so blessed to be in Hickory and have this amazing opportunity at �鶹����,” said Owen. “The community support has been outstanding, and I am especially grateful for President Whitt’s leadership and the vision of Daron Montgomery, our vice president of athletics. Their unwavering support of our program and to me personally has been a driving force in our resurgence and a key factor in my commitment to continue at �鶹����. I am grateful for the confidence placed in me and look forward to strengthening our culture of excellence moving forward.”

The 20th men’s basketball head coach, Owen came to Hickory from Eastern New Mexico University where he served as the men's basketball coach since May 2020. In his first year at �鶹����, Owen and his family, as well as the entire men’s team, have been embraced and supported by the �鶹���� and Hickory communities. Attendance records were the highest in years, as �鶹���� topped the SAC in men’s basketball home attendance and ranked 23rd nationally. In addition, his team excelled in the classroom, earning an overall team GPA of 3.29 during the fall semester, while frequently engaging in community service activities.

“We appreciate Coach Owen’s commitment to �鶹���� and are elated to extend his contract,” said VP for Athletics Daron Montgomery. “In just a short time at �鶹����, his team’s accomplishments have been noteworthy—but more importantly, his leadership and character stand out to everyone associated with Bears Athletics.”

President Whitt echoed Montgomery’s sentiment. “Brent Owen and is family are special members of our �鶹���� family and the Hickory community,” Whitt said. “His leadership and development of young men on and off the court have been exceptional. Coach Owen was my number one pick to lead our program, and he is the type of person and coach I would hope my grandchildren will experience.”