MCC News
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 - [Men's Basketball]

Four Mid-Central College Conference coaches appear on the NAIA Men's Basketball Top 25 Winningest Active Coaches List released by the NAIA this week.

 
The MCC is tied with the Heart of America Athletic Conference for the most coaches in the top 25. Collectively, the four MCC coaches have 115 more wins than the representatives of the HAAC and 59 less losses.
 

Taylor's Paul Patterson is sixth in the NAIA with 667 wins and ninth in win percentage (.677). Patterson has amassed a record of 667-318 in 30 years at Taylor and will coach his 1,000th TU game on December 22 when Taylor takes on Cincinnati Christian University.

 
Mike Lightfoot of Bethel surpassed the 600-win plateau in the second round of the 2009 NAIA National Tournament and has tallied 601 wins in a 22-year career. Lightfoot is 10th in the NAIA in total wins, and is third with a .744 win percentage (601-207).
   
Just seven games away from joining the 600-win club, Jim Kessler of Grace is tied at No. 11 with 593 wins in 32 years of coaching. Kessler shares the spot with legendary Rollie Massimino of Northwood University (Fla.). Falling in at No. 22 in win percentage with a .560 mark, Kessler has coached more games than any other MCC active coach (1,058).
   
Marian's John Grimes holds the MCC title for most seasons coached, pacing the sidelines for 33 years. His 517-371 (.582) record places him 15th on the wins list and 21st on the win percentage chart. On December 29 the Knights will travel to the Wittenberg University to take on Ohio Dominican for Grimes' 900th game.
   
Harry Statham of McKendree University (Ill.) sits atop the coaching world just five wins shy of 1,000. Statham's 995 victories make him the winningest 4-year college coach of all time at any level.