Vic Finora Named Head Men's Basketball Coach

MARS HILL, N.C. - Mars Hill has named Vic Finora as the head coach of the Lions' men's basketball team. Coach Finora is in his second season with the Lions and served as the interim head coach for most of the 2016-17 season.

Athletic Director David Riggins stated, "Vic is a great addition to our staff. The student-athletes in his program will learn basketball and much more. We are happy to know that Vic will lead our program into the future."

Prior to coming to Mars Hill, Finora spent five years as the assistant women's basketball coach at fellow SAC member Coker College.  Before his stint at Coker, Finora was the head coach for three KR Basketball Club teams in Iceland. He also was an assistant coach for the Men's Professional Team of the Iceland Express League.

Prior to his time in Iceland, Vic served as an assistant coach at Alabama A&M University and also saw time as a graduate assistant at the University of Kentucky and Georgetown College.  Finora also has experience at the high school level, where he was the assistant varsity boys coach for Lakeshore Catholic High School in Ontario, Canada. 

He earned his bachelor's degree from William Penn University, where he earned a B.A. in Business Management and Sports Administration.  While at William Penn he was a two-year player.  Upon graduation Vic earned his master's degree from the University of Kentucky, where he earned an M.S. in Sports Leadership and Coaching.

Coach Finora stated, "First of all I would like to thank President Dan Lunsford and Athletic Director David Riggins for believing in me and giving me a chance to lead this program. When I brought my family to Mars Hill just a little over a year ago we prayed on the decision and took a leap of faith, trusting that the Lord had a plan for us. We never would have imagined in such a short time that my wife Jenny and I would be blessed with the rare opportunity to lead both the men's and women's basketball programs. My family loves Mars Hill University and the Mars Hill community and we feel extremely lucky to have such a great place to lay down roots and raise our family. It is a dream come true to become a head coach at the college level. I can promise to all those who have entrusted me with this honor that I will pour my heart and soul into MHU and Lions basketball. I am excited to continue building this program into one that we can all be proud of."

Finora and wife, Jenny, have a son Emjay age four and a two-year old daughter, Grace.