Joseph Price joins Dillard as Head Men’s Basketball Coach

Dillard University News Release

NEW ORLEANS–Dillard University has announced that Joseph Price has taken over as head coach of the men’s basketball program. A former stand-out player at the University of Notre Dame and a former professional basketball player, Price brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in college player development, scouting and coaching to the Bleu Devils.

“I’m excited to add Coach Price to our staff,” said Dr. Linda Bell, Director of Athletics. “I think he will find great success here at Dillard University and in the City of New Orleans.”

“I am elated to have this opportunity to take the reins of a program filled with history,” he said. “I believe there’s ample opportunity to continue to make history and that is what I plan to accomplish.”

Price served as head men’s basketball coach at Central State University, a member of the NCAA Division II’s Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). There, he garnered an 18-12 record, the best for a first-year head coach in the university’s history. That season, Price won CSU Coach of the Year. He also led the Marauders to their first Western SIAC title in school history. While at CSU, Price developed four HBCU All-Americans and seven all-conference selections.

It was in 2002 that Price began his collegiate coaching career. He began as an assistant under Ron Hunter, current Tulane University head coach and former Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) head coach. In 2003, Price helped the Jaguars earn their first NCAA Tournament berth. Price’s primary role at IUPUI included player development, opponent scouting and recruitment. Among the players Price helped develop were NBA first round pick George Hill–currently with the Milwaukee Bucks–and 2003 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, Odell Bradley.

In 2007, Price joined the staff of Ball State University, where he helped the Cardinals win the Mid-American Conference West Division in 2009. There, he helped Ball State sign one of the top 80 classes in the country that season.

Following Ball State, Price went on to assist at Morehead State University. Involved in all aspects of the MSU Basketball Program, he helped the 2011 Eagles match the highest single season win total in school history. During that season, Price worked with future NBA star in forward, Kenneth Faried, an AP 3rd-Team All-American and a National Defensive Player of the Year before being drafted by the Denver Nuggets.

In the 2011-2012 season, Price went to Lamar University to join Pat Knight’s staff. Price and the Cardinals enjoyed immediate success, going 23-12 overall and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000. It was also the team’s first 20-win season since 1988. Also, Price would develop Mike James who would have stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns.

After Lamar, Price spent the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons as Head Coach at Grambling State University. During his tenure, Price led a program hampered by serious NCAA sanctions, including limited scholarships, practice time, recruiting restrictions and a postseason ban into full eligibility in just two years. At Grambling, Price built a strong foundation with a commitment to academic and athletic excellence by facilitating a Strategic Progress Plan, bringing in recruits, and emphasizing the core values of great character, pride, hard work and respect. Price’s first recruit, Terry Rose, was named SWAC Freshman of the Year; and Antwan Scott was named SWAC First Team All-Conference.

Price played four seasons at Notre Dame for Coach Digger Phelps, where he helped the Fighting Irish to a combined record of 84-37. During Price’s sophomore year, Notre Dame finished the National Invitational Tournament as a runner-up. Following his senior season, Price was a 7th round draft pick of the Washington Bullets. Price also spent 13 seasons playing overseas in France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Spain. Price helped St. Prex win the 1988 Switzerland Second Division League-B Championship.