Let's Get Going

Craig Doty understands what it’s like to compete at a high level. He understands what it’s like to quickly rebuild a program. He also understands how hard Ron Cottrell and his staff worked over three decades to get the Houston Christian University (HCU) men’s basketball program built and established. Now Doty is anticipating the challenge of elevating and building upon what HCU has in place.

“When you have a conversation with President Sloan and with Steve Moniaci, you’re talking about people that have a vision for success, and they want to invest that vision in the men’s basketball program and all the athletic programs,” Doty said. “They’re ready to move the bar forward, and I think I was the guy that could bring the energy and bridge some gaps.”

HCU made a pretty big splash when they hired Doty after Cottrell’s departure. A three-time national championship winner is set to guide the Huskies forward and build upon the foundation laid at Sharp Gymnasium. It’s pretty clear that Doty’s enthusiasm for the position is palpable.

“I feel like we’re hitting the ground running right away,” he added. “It was a no-brainer, and you had the faith-based component, liberal arts component. This is just who I’ve been as a college student and as a coach. These are institutions that I have had great success in and just great experiences in.”

It’s also evident that Doty believes HCU is primed for success.

“I think we have to take the next step,” Doty said. “The toughest part is getting to here. That work has been done, and that’s why we’re so grateful and thankful. But that’s why I feel like it’s also at a point where it’s ready to take off, and we’re ready to bring our can-do attitude and our experience and just our modern approach to trying to press this thing forward.”

As part of that, HCU’s newest head coach plans to embrace the strengths of this job, such as Sharp Gym (and the intense atmosphere that he’s planning to create there) and the talent pool in the greater Houston metropolitan area. With the transfer portal, Doty intends to build a roster that can compete within the challenges presented by the Southland Conference and the uncertainty surrounding the future of the NCAA.

In the face of those challenges and the uncertainty of the future landscape of college athletics, Doty’s message to fans, students and alumni is clear: “Let’s get going.”

That involves changing the culture a bit and for Doty and his staff to get established in Houston, a place where he is a newcomer. But with that comes a fresh set of eyes to assess what is present here at HCU and also fresh ideas on how to innovate with the men’s basketball team. That also involved engaging the totality of the HCU community and enhancing the college student experience.

“We want to make it exciting,” Doty explained. “We’ve got a lot of ideas, and we’re going to throw some things on the wall, see what sticks, and move forward with them.”

HCU’s newest leader is ready to demonstrate that HCU not only belongs in the Division I men’s basketball scene but will thrive in it.

“The time is now,” Doty stated. “We’re no longer waiting. Let’s show that not only do we belong in Division I, but we’re going to thrive in Division I every single day.”