“We’re really fortunate Coach McKay loves Liberty, is very committed to this institution,” Liberty athletic director Ian McCaw said. “We’re equally committed to him and just grateful for his leadership.”
This contract extension comes on the heels of a season where McKay led the Flames to a program-record 30 wins and a second straight ASUN Tournament Title. Liberty has won 20 or more games in a program-record four consecutive seasons, and it secured NCAA Tournament berths in back-to-back years for the first time ever.
“He’s a great mission fit, Godly man, wonderful coach, the student-athletes love him,” McCaw continued. “He is recruiting at an exceptionally high level right now. We’re very bullish about the future and really excited about the overall direction of the program under his leadership.”
The program continues to move forward with a talented recruiting class coming in this offseason. The class includes grad transfer Chris Parker as well as the highest rated recruit in school history, Isiah Warfield. Other newcomers include Drake Dobbs, Jonathan Jackson, and Micaiah Abii.
The Flames’ were unable to compete in the 2020 NCAA Tournament as it was cancelled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Liberty was poised to make a run in the Big Dance for the second consecutive season.
“What a tremendous season the team had,” said McCaw. “What a moment that was in the Vines Center to beat Lipscomb in front of just a tremendous crowd and win the championship. That was an exciting final moment for that team. Certainly, we all hoped they were going to advance to the NCAA Tournament, and they certainly were a team that had the ability to win one or more games in the tournament. Certainly a memorable season, one that is arguably the best in the history of the school.”
McKay is 125-59 in his five seasons since returning to the program in April 2015. He, as well as second year football coach Hugh Freeze, have both received overtures from Power Five schools in their time at Liberty.
“It’s really important to have continuity among your coaching staff,” said McCaw. “Football is really the flagship, men’s basketball is right there with it, it is incredibly important. We’re grateful to have such outstanding coaching leadership in those two programs, and we’re also excited that those two coaches really enjoy Liberty and are thriving in our program right now.”
“That certainly, if you’re sitting in my chair, makes you feel really good. I think, across the board, we have fantastic coaches.”
