Release courtesy of the Mars Hill University Athletic Communications office

MARS HILL, N.C. - Briana Clark has been named the new Mars Hill women's basketball head coach, Director of Athletics, Rick Baker announced Thursday morning.

Clark comes to Mars Hill after serving in the head coaching role at Spartanburg Methodist College for the past eight seasons.  During her tenure, Clark boasted a .628 winning percentage that included six regular-season Region X titles, five Region X tournament championships, five Region X Player of the Year accolades, and 21 Academic All-Americans.  Clark was also named Region X Coach of the Year four times.

"I would like to thank Director of Athletics, Rick Baker, President Floyd, and the entire administration, faculty, and staff at Mars Hill for giving me this opportunity," Clark stated.  "I am excited to be here and even more excited to dive into this amazing community.  I have been incredibly blessed to have coached so many wonderful young ladies at SMC over the last eight seasons, but I am extremely excited to get back to North Carolina.  I look forward to working with the players and the staff to keep this basketball program moving forward." 

Off the court, Clark oversaw the success of her student-athletes with a 100% graduation rate of all student-athletes who played two consecutive seasons, as well as placing 100% of members of her teams into four-year institutions to continue their academic endeavors.

Baker stated, "Briana had a very accomplished coaching career at Spartanburg Methodist and we are excited to bring that leadership to our women's basketball program. Her success with her players off the court is also just as impressive as evidenced by her players' graduation rate. She will be a great fit in our athletic department and the Mars Hill Community."

Prior to joining the Pioneers, Clark spent three years as the assistant coach at Montreat College, where she oversaw all game-day management, recruiting, and film exchange duties.  Beginning her coaching career in 2007, Clark was the assistant women's basketball coach at her alma mater, Brevard College, for one season.

Clark graduated from Brevard in 2007, summa cum laude, with a bachelor's degree in exercise science. While a player at Brevard, Clark held the school's NAIA-era records for highest 3pt shooting percentage and FT percentage.  She will obtain her master's degree in athletic administration from Arkansas State University in the fall.

Clark resides in Mills River, North Carolina.