Cottey College is excited to announce that veteran coach Tim Eatman has been named Head Women's Basketball Coach. Eatman brings with him more than three decades of collegiate coaching experience, including extensive time at the NCAA Division I level and a reputation as one of the most respected and successful recruiters in NCAA I women’s basketball history.

Eatman most recently served as the head coach at South Carolina State University. Previously, Eatman spent eight seasons with the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights, serving as recruiting coordinator and associate head coach under Hall of Famer C. Vivian Stringer, putting together five 20-plus winning seasons during his tenure. His recruiting class was ranked top ten nationally and in 2019, Eatman guided Rutgers through the final stretch of the season as acting head coach, helping secure an NCAA Tournament berth and the program’s highest Big Ten finish.

Other noteworthy stops during his career as an assistant coach include the University of Iowa and the University of Louisville.  He also served as associate head coach at the University of Arkansas, as well as at the University of Kansas under Hall of Fame Coach, Marian Washington where he brought in the #6 rated recruiting class in the nation and helped guide the program to their first Big XII Championship, advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16.

“To say we are ecstatic to welcome Coach Eatman to the Cottey College family is an understatement,” said Cottey Athletic Director Dr. Maryann Mitts. “His experience and success at the NCAA I level speaks for itself, but as important is his lifelong devotion to the game of women’s basketball.  Working alongside legendary coaches C. Vivian Stringer and Marian Washington, he helped build the women’s game to the prominence evident today.  His leadership and passion for mentoring young women align perfectly with Cottey’s mission and vision.  We believe he will be a transformative presence on our campus and is the perfect person to take our women’s basketball program to unprecedented success.”

Over his career, he played a major role in recruiting eleven top 30 recruiting classes at five different NCAA I institutions as well as being named the Nation’s Top Recruiter while at the University of Iowa.  He has recruited and developed 2 Olympians, 3 All-Americans, and 14 WNBA players.  Thirteen of his former players have joined the coaching ranks. 

Eatman’s enthusiasm and passion for women’s college basketball is clear: "I am incredibly honored and excited to be named the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Cottey College. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead a program with such a strong foundation and a rich tradition of empowering young women on and off the court. I would like to sincerely thank the search committee for recommending me, as well as Dr. Mitts, our Athletic Director, Dr. Landon Adams, and President Niles for their trust and support. I’m also looking forward to working alongside this special group of coaches as we continue to build a culture of excellence, accountability, and unity. My goal is to help our players thrive academically, athletically, and personally. I’m excited to get started and to be part of the Cottey community as we take this program to new heights."