SEAHAWK SNIPPETS
Hoop Dreams UNCW taps Takayo Siddle as the new Head Coach for the Seahawks Takayo Siddle, a key lieutenant for former head coach Kevin Keatts, returns to the Port City as the new head coach of the men’s basketball program. He was named to the position on March 13, 2020. Siddle, 33, is making his fifth coaching stop and first as a head coach. He previously served as an assistant coach at Hargrave Military Academy, Gardner-Webb, UNCW and NC State. Siddle becomes the 13th head coach in UNCW history. “We’re thrilled to welcome Takayo back to UNCW and the Wilmington community,” said Jimmy Bass, UNCW’s ninth-year athletic director. “He’s been successful everywhere he’s been and we’re confident he will get our program back to the level our student-athletes, alumni, fans and community are accustomed to. He already has two CAA championship rings, so there’s plenty of room for more.” Siddle played for and coached with Keatts and served as interim head coach for the Seahawks in March 2017 before joining his longtime mentor on the NC State bench in Raleigh. Siddle is a tireless recruiter and was tabbed the No. 4 recruiter in the country earlier this year. During his three-year stay at UNCW from 2014-17, Siddle helped the Seahawks return to prominence in the CAA, winning three regular season championships and two CAA Tournament crowns (2016, 2017). A native of Eden, NC, Siddle earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from Gardner-Webb in 2009. “I’m honored to be named as the head coach of this proud program,” said Siddle, who will be formally welcomed during an introductory press conference at a later date. “This is – and has always been – a dream job for me. I can’t begin to tell everyone how excited I am.” – Joe Browning
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