Weber State University Athletics
Hall of Fame - Neil McCarthy
3/10/2015 7:12:00 PM | Wildcat Club
Neil McCarthy
Men's Basketball coach (1973-1985)
Inducted January 2000
Weber State's most successful men's basketball coach was a model of consistency along the sidelines at Swenson Gymnasium and later the Dee Events Center. Neil McCarthy guided the Wildcats program for a dozen years, averaging an amazing 20 wins per season.
McCarthy sits atop the wins chart at Weber State with 200 'Ws.'During his career, McCarthy led the Wildcats to four Big Sky Conference championships, and four NCAA Tournament appearances as well as an NIT Postseason appearance.
The 1979-80 team set a Weber State and Big Sky Conference record for consecutive wins in a season with 18. That same squad ended the season ranked No. 17 in the nation by The Associated Press.
McCarthy was named Big Sky Conference coach of the year in 1977-78, 1979-80 and 1983-83).
McCarthy went on to coach at New Mexico State, compiling a 248-123 overall record.
A native of Vallejo, California, McCarthy began his coaching career at St. Vincent's and St. Patrick's high schools in the area. He was then hired as freshman coach at Weber State, taking over as head coach in 1974.
McCarthy and his wife, Lynn, are the parents of Aaron, Lisa and Neil Christopher. Lynn passed away while the McCarthys were in Ogden.
McCarthy, who wrote his master's degree thesis on the art of free throw shooting, is retired and lives with his wife Vivian in Salt Lake City.