Former Owl Head Coach Rick Croy Takes Head Job At Cal Baptist

Glendora, CA -- Former Citrus College Head Men's Basketball Coach Rick Croy, who spent the last three seasons as the Top Assistant at St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA was named the Head Coach at NCAA DII California Baptist University (CBU) on Wednesday.

"This is a unique opportunity to coach and mentor at a place that I truly believe has unlimited potential," said Croy in a release issued by California Baptist. "There are so many great things happening on this campus, and my goal is to build a program that reflects all the other great things going on. I want to build one that everyone can be proud of, and I wouldn't be leaving St. Mary's if I didn't undeniably believe in the vision at CBU."

Between 2005-2010, Croy helmed the Owls for what ended up being the most successful era in program history. In his time in charge of Citrus, he guided the Owls to a 130-35 record, and was the 14th fastest coach in California Community College history to reach 100 wins.

In his five years at the helm of the Citrus College Men's Basketball program, Croy turned the Fighting Owls from an also ran into a State Championship contender. Citrus made the playoffs in all four of his final seasons and won three straight WSC South Championships beginning in the 2007-08 season. The 2007-08 season was also the year that Croy led Citrus to its first ever State Championship and only the second State Title in any sport for the school.

Over his final three seasons, Croy guided Citrus to a 92-9 overall record the best mark in the State in that time frame. The Fighting Owls also went 35-1 in WSC South play and 44-2 in the friendly confines of The Owl's Nest.

In that stretch no other program moved on more athletes than the Fighting Owls. Between 2005-2010, Croy moved on 34 athletes to the four-year collegiate level, including three freshmen.