Matt McCall hasn’t wasted time getting acclimated to the city of Chattanooga.
He’s already been to Hennen’s — “I’m a big fan of the shrimp and grits,” he said — and now the real fun begins because he is in the city for a distinct purpose: to be the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball coach.
McCall was introduced as the program’s 19th head coach Monday in the University Center conference room, in front of a sizable crowd. He was accompanied by his wife Allison and daughter, Brooklyn — who stole parts of the 90-minute conference with her infectious laugh.
“What a dream come true,” he said. “I could not be more excited to be the basketball coach of this great university, to represent this town and these young men. If they ever tell you dreams don’t come true, they do. I’m proof of that today.”
About Matt McCall
* Hometown: Ocala, Fla. * Date of birth: Dec. 12, 1981 * Degrees: Florida, bachelor’s in exercise and sports science, 2004; master’s in secondary education, 2006 * Career: 2002-04, Florida student manager 2006-08, Florida director of basketball operations 2008-11, Florida Atlantic assistant coach 2011-14, Florida assistant coach