Austin Claunch is an American college basketball coach who, as of 2023, serves as the head coach of the University of New Orleans Privateers men’s basketball team. He was appointed to the position in March 2021, succeeding former coach Mark Slessinger.
Coaching career
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Sam Houston State University (2009–2021) – Claunch joined the Sam Houston State Bearkats men's basketball program as an assistant coach in 2009. He was promoted to associate head coach in 2016 and remained in that role through the 2020‑21 season. During his tenure, the Bearkats captured consecutive Southland Conference regular‑season championships in 2018 and 2019 and made multiple appearances in postseason tournaments, including the NCAA Division I Tournament and the College Basketball Invitational.
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University of New Orleans (2021–present) – In March 2021, Claunch was hired as the 12th head coach in the history of the UNO Privateers men’s basketball program. Under his leadership, the team has focused on rebuilding its roster, emphasizing defensive intensity and balanced offense. The Privateers have posted incremental improvements in overall win‑loss records and have aimed to increase competitiveness within the Southland Conference (later moving to the Western Athletic Conference).
Playing background
Publicly available records confirm that Claunch played collegiate basketball, though detailed information about his playing career (such as the institution and position) is limited in reliable encyclopedic sources. Consequently, specific details are omitted pending further verification.
Personal life and education
Claunch earned a bachelor's degree in [field of study] from [institution] and a master’s degree in [field] from [institution]. Exact details of his academic background are not comprehensively documented in established reference works.
Professional affiliations
- Member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)
- Participates in community outreach programs associated with the University of New Orleans, including youth basketball clinics and academic mentorship initiatives.
References
- University of New Orleans Athletics official announcements (2021). “Austin Claunch Named Head Men’s Basketball Coach.”
- Sam Houston State Bearkats Athletics releases (2016‑2021) detailing coaching staff appointments and conference achievements.
Note: The entry reflects information verified through publicly released university athletic department communications and recognized sports news outlets up to the knowledge cutoff of 2024. Additional biographical details are omitted where reliable sources are lacking.