2011-12 Men's Basketball
Record: 14-14 Home: 8-5 Away: 4-9 Neutral: 2-0 SAC: 9-13
2011-12 Men's Basketball Coaches
Willie Holley
Head Coach
Willie Holley is entering his 38th season as head coach at Mid-America Christian University as the Evangels enter their fifth season as members of the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC).
Holley has helped the Evangels become competitive in a short period of time in the SAC, as MACU more than doubled its win total over its first two seasons with 13 conference victories in the 2009-10 season and achieved a landmark victory at defending NAIA National Champion Oklahoma Baptist last year. The Evangels appear ready to take another step forward as they will welcome perhaps their best recruiting haul since joining the NAIA for the 2011-12 campaign.
During his time at Mid-America, Holley has become the winningest coach in Evangel history. He enters the season with 736 wins and numerous accomplishments.
Holley's coaching style is to establish in his players a "no quit" attitude. This style led to an improbable NCCAA National Championship in 2007. The title was the fourth of Holley's illustrious career as he previously won the championship in 1998, 2003, and 2004. This year the plan is to take that same attitude and improve on last season's effort.
During his time at Mid-America, Holley has become a fixture in the athletic program, serving as Athletic Director since 1973. In 1997, Holley was inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame, and he has been named the NCCAA Division II Coach of the Year four times - 1985, 1995, 2000 and 2004. Holley has also coached 14 All- Americans and won numerous conference and regional championships.
Holley earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from University of Louisiana - Monroe in 1970. He and his wife, Janet, have three daughters: Angela, Jessica and Stacey.
Charles Goar
Assistant Coach
Recently promoted to Assistant Athletic Director, Charles Goar is in his seventh season as assistant men's basketball coach at Mid-America Christian University and has been instrumental in helping the Evangels progress in the Sooner Athletic Conference of the NAIA, including playing a key role in helping the Evangels bring in perhaps their best recruiting class for the 2011-12 season since joining the league in 2007. He also helped guide the Evangels to a 2007 NCCAA National Championship and a fifth place finish in 2006.
In addition to his coaching duties, Goar's new responsibilities will include assisting in planning, organizing and directing the athletic department. He will also continue to coordinate MACU's NAIA Champions of Character initiative and will continue to serve as head coach of the men's basketball JV program.
Goar brings a wealth of basketball knowledge to the Evangels' coaching staff. As a player, he was first team NCCAA All-American in 1990. Upon graduation, Goar decided coaching was his passion and has made numerous stops along the way.
From 1998-2000, he was on the staff at the University of Central Oklahoma. He then made a move to Allen County Community College of the powerful Jayhawk Conference, where he was the assistant men's basketball coach. Following his time at Allen County, Goar became the head women's basketball coach at Neosho County Community College in 2004.
After coming to Mid-America, Goar made an immediate impact both on and off the floor. One of Goar's roles within the program is serving as men's basketball recruiting coordinator and has been responsible for signing several high impact players.
A 1990 graduate of Mid-America Christian University with a B.S. in English, Goar earned his M.Ed from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2000.
Goar and his wife Michelle have one son, Jalen.
Anthony Nero
Assistant Coach
Anthony Nero enters his fourth season as assistant coach with the Evangels. Nero brings 17 years of coaching experience and will serve primarily in the area of player development.
Nero first came to MACU in 1992 and played four seasons under Head Coach Willie Holley. As a guard and forward, Nero helped guide the Evangels to three Southwest Region Championships in 1993, 1995, and 1996. After his playing days ended, Nero took the position of Athletic Director for the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma City. He remained in that position until 2002.
Nero currently is the Youth Minister at Christian Life Missionary Baptist Church and has a passion for helping young men and women live their lives for the Lord. When not at church, Nero is the head coach of the Oklahoma City Sun, an AAU 15 and under boys team. He has been a coach for AAU for the past 17 years.
Nero is married to wife Terrie and has two daughters.
