Parkland College Men’s Basketball Coach Nate Mast has resigned his position at Parkland College effective June 15, to become the Director of Basketball operations at Southern Illinois-Carbondale. Mast recently completed his third season at the helm of the Cobras compiling a record of (53-44 .546). Mast’s tenure was highlighted by the Cobras qualifying for the D-2 National Tournament in 2011 where they went (1-2).
The “Bill Self connection” helped Mast land the job on new Saluki Coach Barry Hinson’s staff. Hinson comes to SIU-C after working under Self the past several seasons. Prior to that, Hinson was the Head Coach at Missouri State. Mast played for Self at Illinois in (2001-02) and was the student assistant at KU from (2004-2007).
“This decision brings me a mixed bag of emotions,” said Parkland Athletic Director Rod Lovett. “On the one hand, I’m glad Nate has been able to use his time at Parkland to help further his goal of eventually becoming an NCAA head coach. To reach his goals, Nate felt he needed to get back into the D-1 coaching ranks and this opportunity was too good for he and his family to pass up.” “He has done an excellent job as both our Head Coach and as our Athletic Academic Monitor and will be truly missed.”
The decision to leave the Cobras, who were 19-13 last season, was a difficult one but one Mast knew he had to make. “This was a very difficult decision to leave such a welcoming and close-knit community that exists at Parkland. I am grateful for the relationships I have developed here and the positive experiences my family and I have experienced. I want to thank Parkland College for the wonderful opportunity they gave me and the support I have received from the administration, faculty and staff, and especially from those I work with in the Athletic Department. My wife and I are excited about the journey ahead of us but will never forget the Parkland family.”
Parkland will begin a search for a new head coach immediately and hope to have a replacement hired sometime in early June.