Head Coach
After deciding in 2003 to resurrect the Men's Basketball Program at LSU Shreveport, the next item on the list was to find the right person to lead the program and serve as Head Coach. The University's Chancellor, Dr. Vincent Marsala, and its new Athletic Director, Doug Robinson, didn't have to look far to find their man. They named former LSU Shreveport standout and local successful high school coach Chad McDowell as the Head Coach of the Pilots.
McDowell enters his eighth season at the helm of the Pilots where his immediate and continued success has helped gain local, regional and national recognition for LSU Shreveport. The Pilots have been a mainstay in the NAIA National Rankings and have made six consecutive trips to the NAIA National Tournament. McDowell and the Pilots have put together quiet an impressive list of accomplishments and awards since reinstating basketball in 2003. Under McDowell's guidance, LSU Shreveport is the most winning college basketball program in Louisiana.
McDowell's history with LSU Shreveport began in the 1990's when he was a starting point guard for the Pilots. He averaged 20 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds a game his senior year. He was twice named Southwest Region Player of the Week and was a finalist for Louisiana Player of the Year. He still holds LSU Shreveport records for career assists and career steals and is second in career scoring.
After graduating from LSU Shreveport (1996) with a Bachelor of Science degree, McDowell began his coaching career at his high school alma mater, Southwood. His first year of coaching was spent as an Assistant Girl's coach to the legendary Steve McDowell (no relation). With only one year of coaching experience under his belt, McDowell was named the Boys' Head Basketball Coach at cross-town rival C.E. Byrd High School. At the time, McDowell was one of the youngest head coaches at the 5A level in Louisiana. He built quiet a resume' in four years at Byrd High School which included a record of 28-8 in his last season and two state playoff appearances.
In 2001, McDowell returned to Southwood High School to become the Head Boys' Basketball Coach. In his first year, his team had a 29-7 record and advanced to the 5A State Championship game. In 2002-2003 his team improved to 38-3 and made another great run deep into the playoffs before falling just short of another appearance in the State Championship Tournament. His combined record for the two years he spent as Head Coach of the Southwood Cowboys was 67 - 10. McDowell then left for the college ranks.
It didn't take long for McDowell to lead the Pilots to the top of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) standings as they finished just one game behind the league leader their very first year (2003-2004) and compiled an overall record of 21-12. The success would grow each year and after only seven years, McDowell has led the Pilots to an overall record of 182 - 53 (77%). The Pilots have dominated their conference opponents racking up four Regular Season Titles and winning five consecutive GCAC Tournament Championships. The Pilots record against GCAC opponents for the past seven years finished at 112 - 30 (79%). The Pilots have also been able to dominate opponents on their home court (The Dock) tallying a 95 - 12 (89%) record.
McDowell is married to the former Jennifer Young and they are the proud parents of three children Martin (7), Molly (6), Megan (2).
Accomplishments and Awards (2003 - 2010) not mentioned in bio:
•· Ranked as NAIA #1 team in the nation in third season of competition (2006)
•· Average 26 wins per season
•· Defeated 3 NCAA Division 1 opponents in single season (2006)
•· Six consecutive NAIA National Tournament Appearances
•· Seven consecutive 20+ win seasons since reinstatement of program
•· Two Sweet 16 appearances
•· Established school record for wins a season at 31 (2007-2008)
•· Won school record 17 consecutive games (2007-2008)
•· Three GCAC Coach of the Year Awards (2004, 2005, 2008)
•· Six LABC (Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches) State Small College Coach of the Year Awards
•· Winner of Inaugural NAIA Champions of Character Team Award (2006)
•· Regional award winner of Champions of Character Coaches Award (2006)
•· Twenty GCAC All-Conference selections
•· One GCAC Freshman of the Year Award
•· Three GCAC Newcomers of the Year Award
•· Four GCAC Players of the Year Award
•· Three LABC Small College Player of the Year Awards
•· Six players selected to NAIA All-American Teams
•· Three NAIA Champions of Character Players Award (2006, 2008, 2009)
•· Basketball Times and USBWA (United States Basketball Writers Association) Most Courageous Player of the Year Award (All collegiate levels)
McDowell's Record at LSUS
Year Overall Conference
2003-2004 21-12 13-6*
2004-2005 27-9 17-3*
2005-2006 28-4 14-2*
2006-2007 25-8 12-6*
2007-2008 31-3 16-2*
2008-2009 22-12 12-6*
2009-2010 28-6 14-4*
Total 182-54 98-29
*Denotes Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Record
