Grant McCasland was named the eighth men's basketball coach at Midwestern State University on April 17, 2009.

"Our family is thrilled and honored to come to Midwestern State," McCasland said. "I am thankful (President) Dr. (Jesse W.)  Rogers and (Athletic Director) Mr. (Charlie) Carr for trusting me with the responsibility of leading a program with such a great tradition. I hope to continue that."

If his track record as a five-year coach at Midland College is any indication, the Mustangs will be in good hands.

McCasland led the Chaparrals to a National Junior College Athletic Association championship in 2007 and a national runner-up finish earlier this spring. Midland College has won at least 26 games in each of its season with McCasland at the helm while posting a 143-32 record and an .817 winning percentage.

"We just felt like he was such a good fit for our program and what we are trying to do," Carr said. "He has a great passion for the game, and he came across as having a great passion for the kids in the meetings he had with them."

McCasland led the Chaparrals to the NJCAA Elite Eight in all but two of his seasons at Midland College and earned numerous coaching honors as he was named NJCAA National and Texas Association of Basketball Coaches' Junior College Coach of the Year in his national championship season of 2007. He is a two-time NJCAA District Coach of the Year and earned Western Junior College Athletic Conference top coaching honors on two other occasions.

McCasland, who is the first coaching hire from outside of the Midwestern State staff since Dr. Gerald Stockton accepted the position in 1970, steps into a rich basketball tradition at Midwestern State.