LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named Steve Shields as its men's basketball coach, the school announced today.
Shields has spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at UALR.
"Steve Shields has played an integral role in building a strong basketball program at UALR," said Chancellor Joel E. Anderson. "I fully expect continued growth and success for the Trojans with Steve at the helm."
UALR athletics director Chris Peterson echoed Anderson's thoughts.
"I feel very fortunate as the director of athletics to be able to have such a strong coaching staff that I can elevate an assistant to a head coaching position," Peterson said. "I've had the opportunity to witness Steve Shields first hand for three seasons, through the recruiting process, in game situations, in relationships with our student-athletes and their families, and on our campus and in the community.
"I am confident about his talents and extremely comfortable with the future of our program under Steve's direction."
"I knew that Steve Shields was a winner not long after he arrived at UALR," said Bill Walker, UALR Vice Chancellor for Advancement. "It was obvious from day one that Steve has the experience and commitment to be a Division I coach. He and his wife Dee have been wonderful additions to the UALR family and to this community."
Before coming to UALR, Shields was head coach at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, for four years. In his second season at MCC, Shields led the Highlanders to the 1998 Region V Championship and a spot in the National Junior College Basketball Tournament - the first time in 22 years for the program.
Under Shields, MCC compiled a 76-51 overall record and a 43-21 mark in North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference play. In 1998, Shields was named the Texas Junior College Coach of the Year by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and also earned the Junior College Region V Coach of the Year award after guiding MCC to a 27-8 record that season.
Shields attended Oklahoma City University and sat out his freshman year of basketball as a redshirt. He transferred to McLennan to play his sophomore year and then moved across town to attend Baylor University, where he played golf for three seasons for his father, longtime Baylor golf coach Gene Shields, and was named All-Southwest Conference in 1987.
Shields, 38, earned his bachelor's degree in education in 1988 and master's degree in education in 1992 from Baylor. He has been married for 14 years to the former Dee Dieterich, an interactive account manager for Stone Ward Fusebox in Little Rock. Steve and Dee have a son, Hayden Dieterich Shields, born Sept. 17, 2001.
Courtesy of UALR Media Relations