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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - After a 29 day search process that drew 172 applicants, Griffon Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin announced today that Rob Edmisson has been chosen as the eighth head coach in Griffon Women's Basketball history.  Edmisson comes to MWSU from Oklahoma City University where he has coached since 2005. 
 
"We had an overwhelming amount of interest for our position which included numerous current and former head and assistant coaches from all levels of college basketball," said Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin.  "At the conclusion of the search, there was no doubt in my mind that Coach Edmisson is right the person to lead our women's basketball program."
 
Edmisson brings 16 years of college head coaching experience to MWSU in which he has amassed some remarkable numbers.  He holds a career coaching record of 514-150, including a 212-31 record in his stint at OCU.  His 2011-2012 team finished the season 35-1 overall and defeated Union College 69-48 in the NAIA National Championship Game last week in Frankfort, Kentucky.
 
He began his head coaching career at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas in 1993 where he spent nine seasons.  His teams went 192-89 overall in qualifying for the region playoffs eight times while producing 25 All-Conference Players.
 
Following his tenure at Hutch, he spent three years as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State University.  His duties included being the junior college recruiting coordinator, scouting coordinator, community engagement coordinator and academic mentor.  He helped recruit a top 20 recruiting class to OSU in 2003-2004 according to All-Star Girls Report, a class which included the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.
 
In 2005, Edmisson took his talents to perennial NAIA power Oklahoma City University.  In his seven year career, his teams have consistently been ranked in the top five of the national polls, won five Sooner Athletic Conference regular season championships and five post season tournament championships and have qualified for the NAIA National Tournament every year including two Sweet Sixteen appearances, two Elite Eight's and two Final Four appearances culminating in winning the National Championship this past season. He's recruited and coached 27 Sooner Athletic Conference All-League Players, three Newcomers of the Year and three conference players of the year.  Nine of his players have been named NAIA All-America. 
 
"I'm very grateful for the opportunity that President Vartabedian and Kurt McGuffin are giving me in the opportunity to take over the women's basketball program," Edmisson said. "It's a tradition rich program that has recently fallen on hard times and I look forward to getting to campus and getting started and helping to return the program to a level where we are year in and year out competing for MIAA and NCAA Championships."
 
As good as Edmisson's teams have been on the floor, they've been equally as good in the classroom.  At Hutchinson Community College all nine of his teams produced a team GPA of 3.00 or higher which included 14 of his players being named Academic All-America.  At OCU, he's graduated 90% of his players who have exhausted their eligibility and all seven of his teams have achieved a team GPA of 3.00 or higher including four Academic All-America selections. 
 
"His track record of winning and building quality student-athletes both on the court and in the classroom speaks for itself and we look forward to him bringing those abilities to Missouri Western,"  McGuffin said.  "To be able to attract a coach with his credentials speaks very highly of our University and the resources we have to be successful."  "With Coach Edmisson now on board, we look forward to a very bright future."
 
Edmisson and wife Gina have two children, Corbin and Cierra.
 
A press conference to formally introduce Coach Edmisson will be held Friday, March 30 at 11 AM in the KCP&L Theater in the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex.  A reception to meet Coach Edmisson will be held at Boudreaux's from 4:30 - 6:00 PM.  The public is invited to attend both events.
 
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ROB EDMISSON
"I've known Rob for close to 20 years and our time dates back to when he was at Hutchinson Community College.  He's always been a tireless worker, excellent recruiter and his teams have always been strong fundamentally.  His best ability is to recruit and get good athletes and to get those good athletes to play hard. His teams always compete hard and are always well prepared.  It's a big time hire as he is a proven winner and will continue to win at MWSU."    Jim Littel, Head Women's Basketball Coach, Oklahoma State University.
 
"Homerun!  Missouri Western not only hired a tremendous coach and competitor, but also got a great man. Rob understands family and embraces the values and morals that come with being a family man. Parents of current and future student athletes can rest assured there daughters will not only be coached by a veteran coach and a winner, but they should know when they put their head on the pillow at night, their daughters are being taken care of and provided for in a first class way by a first class staff." ….Vic Schaefer, Head Women's Basketball Coach, Mississippi State University
 
"Rob Edmisson is one of the outstanding coach's in America.  His excellence is not only shown by his won-loss record but by his ability to coach and sustain high levels of success at various levels of basketball. The class and work ethic Rob shows is matched by very few. Rob will win and win big wherever he steps foot on a court."   Brad Underwood, Associate Head Coach, Kansas State University Men's Basketball
 
"Rob Edmisson has done a terrific job for us as Women's Basketball Coach at Oklahoma City University.  Rob is very passionate and demanding, and the results of his efforts have helped maintain OCU as the most successful women's basketball program in the country.  Rob is a terrific recruiter, is committed to the academic pursuits of his student-athletes, and his teams have enjoyed terrific success on the court.  As an Athletic Director I really couldn't ask for more."  Jim Abbott, Assistant Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Oklahoma City University
 
EDMISSON'S COLLEGE COACHING RECORD YEAR-BY-YEAR
 
Season                       School                                             W-L          Pct.
1993-94                      Hutchison (Kan.) ………………  18-13        .581
1994-95                      Hutchison (Kan.) ………………  20-11        .645
1995-96                      Hutchison (Kan.) ………………  22-9          .710
1996-97                      Hutchison (Kan.) ………………  19-11        .633
1997-98                      Hutchison (Kan.) ………………  24-8          .750
1998-99                      Hutchison (Kan.) ………………  20-12        .625
1999-00                      Hutchison (Kan.) ………………  24-8          .750
2000-01                      Hutchison (Kan.) ………………  18-12        .600
2001-02                      Hutchison (Kan.) ………………  27-5          .844
2005-06                      Oklahoma City ………………     32-3          .914
2006-07                      Oklahoma City ………………     27-8          .771
2007-08                      Oklahoma City ………………     28-5          .848
2008-09                      Oklahoma City ………………     31-6          .838
2009-10                      Oklahoma City ………………     32-4          .889
2010-11                      Oklahoma City ………………     27-4          .871
2011-12                      Oklahoma City ………………     35-1          .972

OCU Totals (7 years)                                              212-31       .872
College Totals (16 years)                                      404-120     .770
High School Totals (6 years)                                110-30       .786
Overall Totals (22 years)                                       514-150     .774