The Seattle University men’s basketball team enters the final week of the 2021-22 regular season with a 22-8 overall record and a 13-4 mark in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). This year’s team is the first squad since 1963-64 to win at least 22 games. Head Coach Chris Victor has played a big part in the team’s success, helping to develop players on and off the court.
Recognizing his impact, on March 1, Seattle U Director of Athletics Shaney Fink removed Victor’s interim label, officially announcing him as the 18th head coach in the team’s history.
“I am thrilled to announce Chris Victor as head coach of Seattle U men’s basketball,” Fink said. “Coach Victor’s basketball acumen is matched by his tremendous character. He is a thoughtful, authentic leader who is laser focused on creating an environment that brings out the best in each member of the team. Coach Victor is a fierce competitor who will continue to lead Redhawk basketball to new heights.”
Men’s Basketball Preseason Controversy
In November, the university placed former head coach Jim Hayford on administrative leave after a player reported that he uttered a racial slur during practice. While on administrative leave, Hayford resigned from his position and Fink appointed Victor as the interim head coach. For the previous four years, Victor was Hayford’s lead assistant act Seattle U after following him from Eastern Washington.
Victor: An Experienced Winner as a Player and Coach
While this is his first permanent head coaching position at the NCAA Division 1 level, it is not the first time that Victor has led a collegiate level team. As the head coach at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif, he led the men’s basketball team to 103 wins in five seasons, two final four appearances and one league title. Before he started coaching, Victor was a star basketball player at Concordia University. He played a major role in the Concordia Eagles winning their first ever NAIA national championship in 2003. Victor finished his career near the top of the school’s leaderboards in points, assists, and steals.
“I am grateful to President Peñalver and Shaney Fink for the incredible opportunity to continue to lead this basketball program, and it is an honor to serve as the head men’s basketball coach at this prestigious university,” Victor said. “I am excited for what still lies ahead this season for this special group, and look forward to building on the success we have achieved and the energy being generated around the program. My family and I couldn’t be happier to be in Seattle and continue establishing our roots here.”
Where The Redhawks Stand as the Season Concludes
Currently, there is a three-way tie for first place in the WAC. Seattle U, Stephen F Austin and New Mexico State are all 13-4 in conference action. Thus, the WAC regular season title race is going to come down to the final games this weekend.
The Redhawks finish their regular season against Chicago State Saturday, March 5. Then, they will travel to Las Vegas next week to compete in the 2022 WAC Tournament. At the end of the tournament, the WAC will crown the winning team who will receive the conference’s automatic bid to this season’s NCAA Tournament.
Regardless of how their season ends, Victor’s success coaching this squad into a WAC title contender shows that he is the right person to lead the men’s basketball program moving forward. In fact, with the Redhawks vastly exceeding preseason expectations, Victor has a good chance to take home the WAC coach of the year title.
