Chris Mooney To Lead Men's Basketball Program
May 6, 2005
University of Richmond director of athletics Jim Miller introduced Chris Mooney, former Air Force Academy coach and Princeton University’s 20th all-time leading scorer, as the 13th head coach of Spider men’s basketball today at the Robins Center.
Mooney, 32, joins Richmond after working at the Air Force Academy the past five seasons. The Philadelphia, Pa. native and Archbishop Ryan High School product became the Falcon’s fifth head coach on April 22, 2004, four years after joining Joe Scott’s staff as an assistant coach.
“Chris Mooney has achieved success as a student-athlete and coach,” Miller said. “We are impressed with his energy and winning track record at prestigious institutions. He will attract student-athletes who make the community proud, while sustaining Richmond’s place among the Atlantic 10 elite.”
“I am very excited to become the next men’s basketball coach at the University of Richmond,” Mooney said. “This is a tremendous opportunity. I look forward to continuing the great tradition of Richmond Basketball.”
The Falcons posted their second best all-time record (18-12) in Mooney’s first year at the helm, while setting a program mark in three-pointers (266) and leading the nation for the third consecutive year in fewest points allowed per game (54.3). His 18 victories were the most by an Air Force head coach in an inaugural season.
Under Mooney’s direction, Air Force ranked second in Division I for fewest turnovers per game (9.8) and third in turnover margin (+6.6). The Falcons, who received votes in the national polls last winter, were one of only two Mountain West Conference teams with five all-conference honorees.
“Chris Mooney is an exceptional coach who will continue to build our men’s basketball program,” said University of Richmond President Dr. William E. Cooper. “He is widely regarded for his record of achievement and for his dedication to the welfare of student-athletes, and his background and goals are aptly suited to Richmond.”
In his final season as Air Force’s associate head coach, Mooney was instrumental in guiding the Falcons to their most successful season. The 2003-04 squad went 22-7, won the Mountain West Conference regular-season championship with a 12-2 mark, and earned the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth since 1962.
In conjunction with the on-court success, Mooney has fostered strong relationships in the community. Air Force’s home attendance increased every season Mooney spent in Colorado Springs, including an all-time high in 2004-05. The Falcons enjoyed a program-record 24-game home win streak during the past two seasons.
By fostering connections to Air Force alumni, Mooney helped build a network that enabled the Falcons to travel to Sweden and Denmark. He believes being a recognizable and active part of the community is essential.
A proven recruiter who is respected for his honesty and integrity, Mooney aligns his basketball program with the University’s academic mission.
“A trusting relationship is necessary,” Mooney said, “so that administrators who are trying to help my players succeed academically can do so knowing that my program is in line with the school’s greater goals.”
During his playing days for Hall of Fame coach Pete Carril at Princeton, Mooney twice earned the B.F. Bunn Trophy, given annually to the varsity basketball student-athlete who, through sportsmanship, play and influence, contributed most to the sport at the school. He finished second for Ivy League Rookie of the Year as a freshman, honorable mention All-Conference as a sophomore, First Team All-Ivy League as a junior and Second Team All-Ivy his final season.
A 1994 graduate with a B.A. in English, Mooney led Princeton to the NCAA Tournament twice following a pair of conference titles. The four-year letter-winner amassed 1,071 points, while starting all 107 games in his career. He currently ranks seventh with 142 career three-pointers and is one of five Princeton student-athletes to score 1,000 points, grab 350 rebounds and dish 200 assists in his career.
Following his playing career, Mooney took over the reigns at Landsdale Catholic High School at the age of 22 and Division III Beaver College (now Arcadia University) at the age of 25. In his second year at Beaver College, Mooney led the team to a school-record 16 wins and a playoff berth in the conference tournament.
Mooney is married to the former Lia Chomat, also a Princeton graduate.