Vanderbilt tabs James Madison's Byington as head coach

Vanderbilt hired James Madison's Mark Byington as its new head coach, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director Candice Storey Lee said Monday.

"From our first conversations, coach Byington impressed me with his competitiveness, his intensity, his passion for developing young men on and off the court, his love for the game, and his plan to elevate Vanderbilt men's basketball to new levels of success," Lee said. "I was struck by the shared passion that we have for what this basketball program can be and for all that is possible at this great institution."

Byington led the Dukes to a dominant 32-4 season, highlighted by an NCAA Tournament victory over Wisconsin in the first round. James Madison was eliminated by Duke in the second round on Sunday.

"I'm thrilled and honored to be the head men’s basketball coach at Vanderbilt University," Byington said. "I know Commodore fans are eager for success, and we will get there together."

James Madison was ranked as high as No. 18 in the AP Poll this season.

Byington, 47, spent four years with the Dukes, going 82-36. He previously spent seven seasons as the head coach at Georgia Southern.

Vanderbilt dismissed Jerry Stackhouse earlier in March. In his first collegiate head coaching job, the 49-year-old went 70-92. The Commodores have made the Big Dance once since 2017, when Bryce Drew led them to the first round.