written by Wade Neely for www.GoRedHawks.com – originally published on December 16, 2013
PULASKI, Tenn. – In addition to guiding his squad to one of the best starts in program history this season, RedHawk Women’s Basketball head coach Jamy Bechler recently made program history on a personal level as he became the program’s all-time winningest head coach earlier this season.
Bechler, who is in his fourth season at Martin Methodist, earned his 58th career win with the club’s 91-84 victory over No. 14 Faulkner (Ala.) on Nov. 16, passing Jana Williams for the most wins in program history. Williams recorded 57 victories during her four years as the program’s head coach from 1996 to 2000.
During his four-year tenure at the helm of the RedHawks, Bechler has been responsible for a number of accomplishments, including a win over a ranked team in each of his first four seasons. Ironically, it was Bechler’s latest victory over a ranked opponent that lifted Bechler to the school’s all-time wins mark.
“Achieving this accomplishment is a testament to the talented players and great people that have surrounded our program,” Bechler said. “We have tremendous support from our administration in Dr. Brown and Jeff Bain (Athletic Director), as well as a strong support staff and community support. Our players do a good job on-the-court, but I am most pleased with our history of academic success and involvement in the NAIA’s Champions of Character program. It is encouraging to see how our athletic department and basketball program has grown in recent years. I look forward to seeing our program’s continued success as we compete in our new conference.”
Under Bechler’s direction, the RedHawks have gotten off to one of the best starts in program history this season, posting a 10-2 record in their first 12 games. Only the 2008-09 RedHawk squad, which started the year 10-0 had a better start to the season.
In addition to the victory over ranked Faulkner, the RedHawks have started their first year in Southern States Athletic Conference play with an impressive 3-1 mark, with the lone loss in a heartbreaking, buzzer-beating overtime defeat at Auburn-Montgomery (Ala).
The only other RedHawk loss this season came on the road at Talladega (Ala.), a squad that is currently receiving votes in the NAIA Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll.
The RedHawks are currently receiving votes in the poll themselves and could possibly crack the Top 25 for the first time since the 2008-09 season when the next batch poll is released on Jan. 7.