Owen hired as ENMU men's basketball coach

PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University has filled its men's basketball coaching vacancy, tabbing recent Southern Indiana assistant Brent Owen as the program's 14th head coach.

The move was announced in a Tuesday afternoon release by the school.

Owen joined the Screaming Eagles coaching staff the season after his playing career there concluded, and the program went 274-93 during his tenure as a player or a coach. He resigned his position at ISU in mid-April.

"I could not be more excited to be named the head basketball coach at Eastern New Mexico University," Owen said in the release. "I would like to thank Dr. (Chancellor Patrice) Caldwell, Dr. (VP for Student Affairs Jeff) Long, Athletic Director Matt Billings and the entire committee for trusting me to lead this program and the young men in our locker room."

He will be the 14th coach in program history and replaces Tres Segler, who resigned in April to pursue an opportunity outside of coaching in Texas.

In a video message posted to the ENMU Athletics Twitter account, Owen said he sees an opportunity for the Greyhound program to be nationally recognized and that he will "chase people down" to fill Greyhound Arena and create the best student section in the Lone Star Conference.

Owen spent nine seasons, with a two-year hiatus to coach the Tell City High program for two seasons. He has been the lead assistant for Southern Indiana since returning in the 2014-15 season.

"Brent Owen was my copilot over the last decade at the University of Southern Indiana," said Rodney Watson, who retired at the end of the 2019-20 season. "His passion for recruited enabled us to compete on the national stage. Brent is an outstanding teacher of the game. Most importantly, Coach Owen will care for your student-athletes from move-in day through graduation day. Greyhound basketball is in great hands and you are going to enjoy the Owen family and many exciting nights in the Lone Star Conference."

The team is coming off four seasons of 20-plus wins, including a trip to the Division II semifinal game in 2019.

The Owen family includes wife Ashley and son Kruse, and a second son is anticipated in July.