Batesville, AR - Lyon College Athletic Director Kevin Jenkins has announced that Thomas Orr has been named the new head coach of Scots men's basketball.

"We are extremely excited to have Coach Orr join our athletic department and lead our men's basketball program," said Jenkins. "Thomas brings a wealth of knowledge and a high level of energy that will be a great fit for our student-athletes and the Lyon College community. His passion for the game and his commitment to the development of young men on and off the court stood out during the search process. We look forward to the future of Lyon men's basketball under his leadership." 

Orr brings over a decade of coaching experience to Lyon, having served as an assistant coach most recently at fellow NCAA Division III member Trinity University where he helped to guide the Tigers to an appearance in the second round of the NCAA National Tournament. He is no stranger to Division III having coached at multiple institutions including Texas Lutheran University, University of the Ozarks, Howard Payne University, and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He also brings head coaching experience having been the head boys basketball coach at Buffalo High School in Buffalo, Texas and coached in the Longview Independent School District in Longview, TX. 

"I'm incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead the men's basketball program at Lyon College," said Orr. "I want to sincerely thank Kevin Jenkins and James McIntyre for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to lead this program. I'm thankful for their trust, vision, and the confidence they have shown throughout this process."

Orr has coached multiple athletes to both conference and national recognition, throughout his career with his players earning numerous accolades over the years. In this past season he had five players make All-SAA honors, including Defensive Player of the year, with another being recognized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches as a member of their All-District Second Team. 

He looks to build a program whose culture emphasizes the team above all, accountability, and encouragement of leadership by student athletes on the court. While also fostering a climate that values academic success and one that is connected to the community that it plays for. 

"My vision is to build a program that reflects the identity of the institution — competitive, disciplined, connected, and committed to development both on and off the court, said Orr. "Our goal is to create a culture that players, students, alumni, and the Batesville community are proud to support". 

Before becoming a coach, he played at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor where he was a two-year letter winner and the leading scorer for the 2013 team that finished its season as the runner-up in the Division III National Championship. That year he was a D3hoops.com All-South Region selection, an ASC All-Conference, and an ASC All-West Division. 

"I'm excited to get to work, connect with the campus and community, and help move Lyon College basketball forward," said Orr. 

He is a native of Hutto, Texas, earning a degree from Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2014 in Interdisciplinary Studies before getting his Masters of Business Adminstration from Franklin-Pierce University in Sports Management in 2016.