Liberty men’s basketball coach Ritchie McKay has tested positive for COVID-19, the school announced Tuesday evening.
According to the release, McKay received a positive test result this week, has experienced mild symptoms, and is self-isolating since learning of the positive test. He will not make the trip with the team to Nashville this weekend when the Flames face Lipscomb Friday and Saturday to begin ASUN play.
“I have complete faith in our coaching staff to lead our team through my absence,” said McKay via the release. “Throughout our season our players have been great in dealing with these challenging times and I am confident they will persevere.”
McKay has not been around the rest of the team since the Flames previous game, on Tuesday, Dec. 22, when Liberty defeated Alcorn State, 108-65. Following that contest from Liberty Arena, the team broke for Christmas break. This weekend’s games are between the two teams who have met in the ASUN Championship game the previous two seasons. Lipscomb was the preseason favorite to win the ASUN this year, while the Flames are seeking a third straight title. Liberty was picked to finish second in the ASUN preseason poll last month.
The Flames are coming off its best season in school history, during which it won a program best 30 games and captured the ASUN regular season and tournament titles for the second straight year. Tuesday’s release said McKay is following guidelines set by local health officials and Liberty’s medical staff. Longtime assistant and current Associate Head Coach Brad Soucie is expected to assume the head coaching duties this weekend.
McKay has guided the Flames to an 8-3 record during non-conference play, including wins over Mississippi State and South Carolina. He joins Liberty head football coach Hugh Freeze who also tested positive for COVID in early December. Freeze also experienced mild symptoms and returned to the team for Liberty’s Dec. 26 Cure Bowl win over No. 12 Coastal Carolina.
