Pederson named new women’s basketball coach

By De’Anthony Cox, Reporter|August 24, 2022

Kevin Pederson was named the head coach for the Chanticleer’s Women’s Basketball team  

Pederson previously coached at Lander University for 17 seasons. Pederson led them to a 356-160 record.  In the last eight seasons, he coached them to 13 NCAA Division II Championship Tournament appearances.  

Coastal Athletic Director Matt Hogue welcomes Kevin Pedersen during a March 14 press conference announcing Pederson as the new women’s basketball head coach. (Photo courtesy of CCU Athletics.)

His accolades distinguish him in the NCAA Division II as a three-time Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Region Coach of the Year, conference coach of the year, and the first coach in the state of South Carolina to lead a team to three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances in a row.  

Over the course of his career, Pederson has coached 44 All-Conference players, eight conference players of the year, and a conference female player of the year. Outside the court, Lander’s women’s team players maintained a 3.5 GPA over the past three seasons. 

Amanda Butler, head coach of Clemson’s women’s basketball team, said Pederson has a solid winning mentality. Pederson is a Clemson alumnus. 

“Coach Pederson is a proven winner and a great friend. He’s innovative, smart, and hard-working. I always enjoy our basketball conversations and admire his dedication to his family. I’m excited to see the elite staff he will assemble and know he will be a strong contender in the Sun Belt. Congrats to Coastal on a fantastic hire,” Butler said. 

Pederson is the seventh head women’s basketball coach in Coastal Carolina history.