Greg Mason has announced he is stepping down as the head coach of Centre Men's Basketball, a position he has held since the 1999-2000 season.
After 26 years as head coach, Mason departs as the winningest coach in program history with 459Â wins. He won eleven conference regular season titles, seven conference tournament championships, and made eight NCAA Tournament appearances as head coach. He also led the Colonels to ten seasons of 20+ wins and nine straight conference championship appearances from 2006-14.
Brad Fields '98, Director of Athletics, reflected on Mason's run at Centre. "Greg Mason has been the face of Centre Men's Basketball for more than a quarter-century," said Fields. "A true legend in the Division III men's basketball world, Greg was a 1,000-point scorer as player for the Colonels and then – after three years as an assistant – led the program to unprecedented success."
Mason released a statement via X saying in part, "After 33 amazing years with Centre Basketball, it's time for me to say goodbye. All of the incredible relationships, the connections and the great memories…our journey has exceeded my expectations when I was given this opportunity in 1999. I'm so proud of our championship tradition, and so proud we did it with true student-athletes who represented the Centre ideal…I'm excited about what lies ahead and will always remain a great fan of Centre Basketball."
The Colonels best season under Mason came in 2008, when the team finished with a 26-3 record, including 25 straight wins, a national ranking of #2, and an unbeaten mark in the SCAC. In that year, Mason was named the SCAC Coach of the Year, D3Hoops South Region Coach of the Year, and won his 2nd straight NABC South Region Coach of the Year.
In total, Mason spent 33 years at Centre as a player, assistant coach and head coach. While playing for the Colonels, Mason earned All-SCAC honors and finished his career as a member of the 1000-point club and held seven program records upon graduating in 1994. He finished his playing career with 1,084 points and 374 assists. The Colonels won 64 games in his playing career and made the NCAA Tournament in 1992.
Mason departs with a legacy of impacting countless lives, most reflected in the strong alumni network of Centre Men's Basketball.
"It is a bittersweet day, as Centre loses a true coaching giant, but I also celebrate the chance for Greg to open an exciting new chapter moving forward – a win for him and his family," Fields continued. "Coaching is a demanding profession, and to spend the time Greg did in it, he has earned this opportunity for a new challenge. [M]ake no mistake, his loss will be felt and he will be missed."
Centre Athletics will announce the next steps for the men's basketball program in the near future.
