HARROGATE, Tenn. -- Lincoln Memorial University has announced the hiring of Chris Cottrell (pictured) as the assistant coach for men's basketball program. Cottrell returns to the Railsplitters' sideline after previously serving as an assistant coach for LMU from 2008-13. "Chris was the perfect fit for what I was looking for in this position and I am thrilled to have him back on our staff," said head coach Josh Schertz. "He's versatile, detail oriented and meticulous. No one works harder, or is more prepared than Chris. You combine that with his corporate knowledge and ability to get along with a wide variety of people, and having him back will be great for our program and fun for me."

The move also marks Cottrell's return to the college coaching ranks following a six-month stint in the corporate world, where he was a Senior Services Executive for Ricoh USA. During that time, Cottrell was responsible for creating relationships with small to medium-sized businesses and conducting benchmark demonstrations with the goal of creating compelling business solutions. "Of course, I am adrenalized to be back in college coaching," Cottrell said. "I am humbled and appreciate the opportunity Coach Schertz has given me to return to his coaching staff. LMU is a special place with special people. I look forward to working with Coach Schertz and the rest of the men's basketball coaching staff to continue to move the needle as the gold standard in Men's Division II Basketball." Cottrell was last seen on the sidelines in 2015, when he completed a two-year stint as the head men's coach at Davis & Elkins College, an NCAA Division II affiliate in Elkins, W.V. Cottrell received his bachelor's degree in History with a minor in athletic coaching in 2007 from High Point University before adding a master's degree in sport management in 2009. He will begin his duties at LMU immediately.

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