Bulldog Basketball Camp LC
Head Coach Mark Phelps

Mark Phelps enters his fourth season as head coach of the Bulldogs' men's basketball program in 2011-12, driven by a passion and commitment to elevate Drake to levels of consistent excellence on and off the court. His dedicated approach to recruiting and program-building over his first three seasons at the helm has positioned the Bulldogs to take the next step in their progression.

Focused on the process of building a program the right way and establishing a solid, sustainable foundation, Phelps' approach is beginning to bear fruit. The 2011-12 season is the first in his Drake tenure with a roster that features more upperclassmen than underclassmen. In addition it will be the first time Phelps presides over a team that returns more than two of its top four scorers and rebounders from the previous year. The Bulldogs return three of their top four, and five of the top six, in each category. Six of the nine top contributors in 2010-11 were either freshmen (1) or sophomores (5).

The maturation of the Drake roster brings a powerful blend of experience and continuity that was a goal Coach Phelps sought in putting his program together. His incoming recruiting classes in 2009-10 and '10-'11 were ranked at the top of the Missouri Valley Conference, and that talent now forms the nucleus of the Bulldogs squad. Drake's 2009-10 recruiting class was No. 1 in the MVC according to Van Coleman's Hoopmasters.com, while Scouts Inc., in conjunction with ESPN.com, rated Drake's signees for the 2010-11 class the best in the MVC, as well.

While building the program, Phelps has experienced success in his initial seasons that positions him among the top coaches in school history. His 44 victories as head coach at Drake are the most wins accumulated by a Bulldogs coach in his first three seasons in the position.

Last year Phelps' Bulldogs stood out on the defensive end, leading the MVC in three-point shooting defense (.321) and ranking third in steals (5.8). The latter figure contributed to a +1.3 turnover margin. Offensive, Drake ranked third in the Valley in three-point shooting percentage (.362).

Drake in 2009-10 was the only school in the MVC to rank in the top 12 nationally in three different NCAA team statistics. The Bulldogs ranked No. 4 in turnovers per game (10.1 avg.), 10th in free throw percentage (.757) and 11th in three-point field goals per game (8.6 avg.). Drake also posted an all-time school-record low turnover total (332) during the 2009-10 season.

The Bulldogs made 284 three-point baskets in 2009-10, the second highest total in school history. Drake's .757 free throw percentage in the same year ranked third on the school's all-time single-season list.

In his first year as head coach at Drake, Phelps led the Bulldogs to a 17-16 record in 2008-09 and their second consecutive post-season tournament (CollegInsider.com Postseason Tournament), marking the first time the Drake basketball program had advanced to post-season play in two consecutive seasons since 1970-71.

Under Phelps, Drake has traditionally played a strong schedule; over the past three seasons the Bulldogs have played 45 games against teams that advanced to postseason play, including 17 last year.

Phelps was named the 25th men's head basketball coach at Drake on April 21, 2008 after serving as associate head coach at Arizona State from 2006-08.

"Mark's extensive experience as an assistant in the Pac-10 and the ACC, coupled with his commitment to the holistic development of young men, made him the ideal candidate to continue the established success of the Drake Bulldogs," said Drake Athletics Director Sandy Hatfield Clubb. "Mark was touted as one of the top assistant coaches in college basketball. His character and his demonstrated passion for the game are just two of the many outstanding qualities that attracted us to him. Coach Mark Phelps is a perfect fit for Drake University."

"I consider it an honor and privilege to be the head coach at Drake University," said Phelps. "President Maxwell (Drake's David) has fostered a true family environment where the 'Drake experience' is a special one for students, faculty, staff and the entire Drake community. I have tremendous respect and great appreciation for Sandy Hatfield Clubb and look forward to working together with her and the entire athletic department to continue the pursuit of excellence for Drake basketball. I could not be more excited about this opportunity."

Phelps, 45, has been a basketball coach for 22 seasons, including 15 years on the collegiate level after a highly successful high school coaching career. The Virginia Beach, Va., native had served on the coaching staff at North Carolina State under head coach Herb Sendek from 1996-2006 before joining Sendek at Arizona State in 2006.

"I am grateful for the 12 years Coach Mark Phelps invested on our staff at both N.C. State and Arizona State and most certainly recognize the wonderful impact he made," said Sendek. "I congratulate Mark, as he will be the consummate CEO for the Drake men's basketball program. He will represent the university as a perfect gentleman and at the same time lead the basketball program with a true competitive spirit."

Phelps was part of Sendek's staff that led North Carolina State to a 53-39 (.576) record in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season and tournament play in the final five seasons in Raleigh, N.C. The Wolfpack tied for the second most wins in the ACC from 2001 to 2006, and was one of only two ACC programs (Duke) to advance to the NCAA Tournament each of those five seasons.

Phelps joined the North Carolina State staff in 1996, serving as director of basketball operations for four years before being promoted to assistant coach in 2000. In 2005 he was named recruiting coordinator and director of scouting with the Wolfpack while continuing as an assistant coach.

Prior to joining the college ranks, Phelps, a 1996 Old Dominion University graduate, was very familiar with outstanding basketball programs having had a highly successful tenure as a high school head coach. Phelps coached his way to a 148-53 (.736 winning percentage) overall record during his six years directing a pair of Virginia independent high school teams.

Phelps spent two seasons (1994-96) at Atlantic Shores Christian High School in Chesapeake, Va., where his teams compiled a 44-12 record. His 1996 squad finished 20-3 and set school marks for winning percentage (.870) and fewest losses.

Prior to his tenure at Atlantic Shores, Phelps coached four years (1990-94) at Rock Church Academy and posted a 104-41 record. He was twice named Metro Conference Coach of the Year as the Eagles won three straight conference championships.

Each of Phelps' last five prep teams (3 at Rock, 2 at Atlantic Shores) advanced to the Virginia Independent School State Tournament. Four times he coached teams to the quarterfinals of the state tournament and twice to the state semifinals. He also served as athletics director at both high schools. Phelps began his coaching career as Rock Church Academy's junior varsity coach during the 1989-90 season.

Phelps last season took part in the "Shots From the Heart" campaign, a free-throw shooting competition organized by the American Heart Association and CollegeInsider.com to generate awareness of the growing problem of heart disease. Competing against other head coaches in a 64-man bracket, Phelps advanced to the Elite Eight, where his 24-for-25 effort was topped by the perfect 25-for-25 of Arizona's Sean Miller.

Mark and his wife, Alissa, have a son Owen (2) and a daughter Laney (1).