Graves Announces Archey As First Hire To Staff
South Alabama’s new head basketball coach Matt Graves officially named the first hire for his staff on Monday. Graves announced that the former Butler coordinator of basketball operations Darnell Archey has joined his coaching staff.
Archey, a New Castle, Indiana native, was a four-year letterwinner at Butler between 1999-2003 and has served on the staff the past four seasons. He has five years of coaching experience at the high school level including three as a head coach before being hired by his alma mater Butler. While a high school coach he taught two McDonald’s All-Americans and future all-conference players in the ACC and Big 10 Conferences.
Prior to joining the Butler staff, Archey was a head coach at Park Tudor (Indiana) High School from 2008-09. During his one season there, the coach a player who was ranked the number 2 point guard and number 19 overall by recruiting service Rivals.com.
As a player at Butler, Archey set several school records and played on three NCAA Tournament teams. He finished his career as their all-time leading three-point shooter, which he now ranks third at, with 217 while setting a new record for free throw percentage in a season at 97.3 percent and for a career with 95.1 percent.
His incredible mark at the free throw line set a NCAA record of 85 consecutive conversions set over parts of three seasons starting on February 15, 2001 and ending on January 18, 2003.
Archey brings more NCAA Tournament experience to Graves’ staff.