CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Austin Peay State University Athletics Department announced its hiring of David Midlick as the 10th Lady Govs Basketball coach at a 10 a.m. press conference in the front lobby of the Winfield Dunn Center on April 22.
Assistant Sports Information Director Colby Wilson welcomed fans and the media to “a historic day for Austin Peay Women’s Basketball,” remarking that Head Men’s Basketball Coach Dave Loos called Midlick “a great leader and solid basketball coach who also serves as a terrific role model.”
Derek van derMerwe, former APSU Director of Athletics and current Vice President for Advancement, Communication and Strategic Initiatives, thanked the search committee that met with the final five candidates for the position. The committee included Interim Athletics Director Cheryl Holt, Head Basketball Coach Dave Loos, Head Softball Coach, Stephanie Paris, David Davenport with Campus Recreation, Governors Club and Ticketing Manager Janet Wilson and Athletics Marketing & Promotions Coordinator Alaric Klinghard, along with APSU President White, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett and Chief of Staff Jeff Truitt, who were also involved in the process.
As he introduced Midlick, van derMerwe said that the committee considered what the student athletes wanted in a coach, noting that they requested “someone who truly cares about people…not just basketball.”
Midlick began his remarks by thanking President White and van derMerwe for their support during the hiring process, and went on to say that he will view his team as “students first,” promoting a “culture of teamwork, effort and attitude.” “We want to make sure that we support them in every way possible,” he said. Midlick also promised that the team will be visible in the community.
Midlick returns to Austin Peay along with his wife Leslie and their two sons David and Will. His experience includes time as the Associate Head Coach at the University of Memphis, Head Coach at Delta State University, Women’s Basketball Assistant at Tennessee State University and both APSU Women’s Basketball Assistant and Volunteer Assistant.