New Mater Dei girls basketball coach is a former University of Evansville men's standout
EVANSVILLE — The only open basketball coaching position within the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference has been filled.
Lucious Wagner was named the next Mater Dei girls basketball coach on Wednesday to take over one of the top city programs in recent memory. Since 2010, the Wildcats have won seven sectional championships and a pair of state titles in 2013 and '14.
Wagner cited the program's tradition and the opportunity for a new challenge. It will be his first high school coaching job.
"I know Mater Dei has a good tradition and some talent coming up," said Wagner. "I'm just excited to take my chances with these girls and put my thumbprint on there to take them to the next level."
Wagner started for three years collegiately at the University of Evansville and was named team captain as a senior in 2004-05. That season, he led the Aces in scoring with 14.1 points and was named to the Missouri Valley Conference Most Improved Team. He went on to play professionally overseas for five years and later returned to his alma mater as a director of basketball operations under former UE coach Marty Simmons.
He's been back in Evansville for almost a decade. Wagner is currently the owner of Black Heart Basketball, a local basketball skills and athletic training facility. Among the many local standouts he has trained is former Mater Dei star Maura Muensterman.
"It's a close, tight-knit community that really cares about basketball," said Wagner. "I'm just hoping to continue that tradition and keep building."
He takes over from Chad Breeden, who stepped down after seven seasons in May. Breeden was 82-61 at Mater Dei with three sectional titles and a regional championship in 2019. He cited balancing work and coaching for stepping aside after nearly a decade on staff. Breeden missed this past season because of a medical leave of absence.
The Wildcats will return three starters and the top returning players include senior forward Chelsea Turner (7.4 points, 5.9 rebounds) and senior guard Brylee Delano (7.3 points).
Mater Dei went 12-13 and lost in the sectional semifinal last season under interim coach Doug Blair.
"I'm going to be super detailed with them," said Wagner. "We're going to push extremely hard to get everything I can out of these girls."
Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville Mater Dei hires Lucious Wagner as girls basketball coach
