Staff report

Catawba College announced on Tuesday that Terence McCutcheon has been promoted to head women’s basketball coach.

The press release by the school didn’t mention former head coach Terrence Baxter.

McCutcheon had been guiding the team since Baxter left the team for “personal reasons.” McCutcheon recently was promoted from assistant coach to interim head coach.

The Indians (22-5) have been 6-2 since McCutcheon took over for Baxter.

“Coach McCutcheon has done an excellent job guiding the team over the past month,” Catawba athletic director Larry Leckonby said. “He has earned the chance to be the head coach going forward.”

Catawba finished tied for second in the South Atlantic Conference regular-season standings, but is seeded fifth for the league tournament that starts tonight.

The Indians’ winning percentage was penalized due to a player eligibility issue that violated NCAA and SAC bylaws. Catawba will play at fourth-seeded Newberry at 7 p.m.

McCutcheon came to Catawba as an assistant under Baxter for the 2018-19 season. He was boys head coach in Morgan City, La., prior to that.

McCutcheon’s coaching experience includes a stint as an assistant coach with Newberry’s men’s team.

McCutcheon is a native of Mobile, Ala., where he was an All-State player. He played collegiately at Southern Idaho, Nicholls State and Pfeiffer.

McCutcheon earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Pfeiffer in 2002. He has two children, Malachi and Trinady.