By Benny Rogers/TVCC Sports Information
Kris Baumann has announced his resignation as head men’s basketball coach/associate athletic director at Trinity Valley Community College.
Baumann has accepted a position as assistant coach on the men’s basketball staff at the University of Texas at El Paso.
“I’ve been coaching 17 years in junior college basketball and Trinity Valley is by far the best job I’ve ever had,” Baumann said. “It’s difficult to leave a place this special.
“What sets this place apart from others is the people who work at the college, our fan base and the community. It truly is a special place.”
Baumann leaves after a four-year tenure at TVCC in which the Cardinals posted a 110-26 record. Baumann, owner of a 280-146 career record, guided the Cardinals to the national tournament in each of his last three seasons, claiming their first Region XIV championship since 1999 this past season.
In addition to claiming the regional title in the 2015-16 season, the Cardinals were an unprecedented 19-0 in conference play and were ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA the second half of the season. The Cardinals, who own a 33-game conference winning streak, also matched a school record for wins in a season, going 33-2.
During Baumann’s tenure, the Cardinals reached the Elite 8 in 2015 and the Sweet 16 in 2014 and 2016. The Cardinals were the No. 1 seed at the tournament this past season.
“Trinity Valley won before I got here and will continue to win,” Baumann said. “This is a place the best players in the nation want to play.”
Prior to his arrival at TVCC in the summer of 2012, Baumann spent six seasons at Garden City Community College (KS). He was 120-75 at Garden City, where his 2009 squad advanced to the national tournament and finished sixth.
He also served three years as head coach at Lamar Community College and stints as an assistant coach at Chipola Junior College, Tallahassee Community College and Garden City.
Baumann attended and played at the University of Idaho, where he became one of the top three-point shooters in school history. He was voted team captain both his junior and senior seasons and received the prestigious Ronald White Award.
He received his bachelor’s degree in general studies from the University of Idaho and Masters of Administration and sports management from Columbia Southern University.