Wichita State will introduce Paul Mills as its 27^th head men's basketball coach at 3:30 p.m. Thursday inside Charles Koch Arena. This event is free and open to the public with streaming available live and on-demand via ESPN+.
 
"My family and I are extremely excited about being a part of Wichita State University," Mills said. "The rich history, winning tradition and unbelievable community support will keep us working on behalf of the GREATEST fans in all of college basketball.  We can't wait!"
 
Mills has spent the past six years rebuilding the program at Oral Roberts (2017-23), earning bids to two of the last three NCAA tournaments.
 
In 2021 Mills became just the second coach in history to guide a No. 15 seed to the Sweet 16, upsetting Ohio State and Florida in the first two rounds.
 
This past season he coached ORU to a 30-5 record, an undefeated run through the Summit League (18-0) and a No. 12 seed in the Big Dance.
 
Mills is currently a finalist for the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year award as well as the NABC's Skip Prosser Man of the Year honor, presented annually to a coach who achieves success on the basketball court and displays moral integrity off of it.
 
"Paul Mills' heart for people, passion for life and approach to the development of young people and programs is energizing," WSU Director of Athletics Kevin Saal said. "He aligns with Shocker Athletics' core values, facilitates a first-class student-athlete experience and fuels broad-based competitive excellence. We are thrilled to welcome the Mills family – Paul, Wendy, Audrey and Abbey – to Wichita, Wichita State University and Shocker Nation!"
 
"We are looking forward to the next chapter of WSU basketball under Paul Mills' leadership," WSU President Dr. Richard Muma said. "He's fully aligned with our priorities, which includes creating success for our student athletes and a winning culture for all of Shocker Nation."
 
Mills' teams play an exciting brand of basketball, annually ranking among the NCAA leaders in scoring and three-point field goals while playing tough, gritty defense.
 
Over the years Mills has also demonstrated a knack for finding and developing talent. His greatest success story is 6-foot guard Max Abmas, an overlooked recruit, turned NBA prospect who scored more than 2,500 career points in Mills' system and was twice named Summit League Player of the Year.
 
Prior to ORU, Mills spent 14 seasons on staff at Baylor under head coach Scott Drew, the last eight as assistant coach during which he helped the Bears to six NCAA tournaments, tallying four Sweet 16 and two Elite Eight appearances, as well as the 2013 NIT title.
 
Mills, age 50, graduated from Texas A&M in 1996 with a degree in finance and completed a Master of Biblical and Theological Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary in the summer of 2020.
 

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What other are saying about Paul Mills:
 
"Paul Mills helped build Baylor Basketball then took Oral Roberts to levels never before achieved. He is an outstanding coach and, above all, a man of high integrity and character. He LOVES building relationships and mentoring his players, helping them become winners on and off the court. Wichita State hit a homerun with Coach Mills."
--Scott Drew, Baylor Head Coach
 
"WSU hit a grand slam with Paul Mills as its new head men's basketball coach. Paul is a terrific husband and father, a caring son, and a dynamic leader. The young men that will be blessed to be mentored and molded by his enthusiasm for faith and family will be changed for life and will be exponentially better because of the time spent with Paul and his family. Shocker Nation will have a lot to celebrate, on and off the court!!!"
--Jerome Tang, Kansas State Head Coach
 
"Congratulations to Kevin Saal and Wichita State on hiring one of the rising stars in college basketball in Paul Mills. Paul is an outstanding leader, will run an exemplary program and develop his student-athletes on and off the court."
-- Ian McCaw, Former Baylor, Current Liberty Athletic Director
 
"Paul is highly regarded in the coaching profession and has all the qualities needed to restore the iconic Wichita State basketball program to its former heights and to take it to even greater renown. We are pleased to welcome Paul to our conference and to add his name to a strong roster of conference coaches. Congratulations, also, to Athletic Director Kevin Saal on this outstanding hire. There is renewed excitement in the Shockers' men's basketball program."
-- Mike Aresco, American Athletic Conference Commissioner.
 
"The hiring of Paul Mills is a great step forward for Wichita State basketball. It has been my privilege to spend many hours talking basketball with Paul and watching his teams play. He is a coach that not only understands the X's and O's of the game, but the importance of his role in shaping the lives of his student-athletes. His teams will be well coached and also represent Wichita State University in a first-class way. I am excited to watch the progress of the Shockers over the next several years."
Rick Byrd, Former Belmont Head Coach
 
"Paul Mills is one of the next stars in our profession! Wichita State just got a triple double!
He is incredibly adept in his offensive schemes. He is an elite evaluator and recruiter. However,  his greatest attribute is the kind of person he is; honest, relational, relatable, and authentic!
Shocker Nation got a great one!"
--Ritchie McKay, Liberty Head Coach
 
"Paul Mills is one of the most incredible basketball minds I have ever had the pleasure of being around. His IQ and character set apart from the rest. Wichita State got everything and more with this hire."
--Jay Williams, Former Duke guard and current ESPN college basketball analyst
 

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THE MILLS FILE:
 
Full Name:
Paul Kerry Mills
 
Birthdate:
April 4, 1972 in Houston (Age 50)
 
Education:
Undergrad: Texas A&M '96
Masters: Dallas Theological Seminary '20
 
Family:
Wife: Wendy
Daughters: Audrey & Abbey
 
Coaching Experience:
2023-Pr. – Wichita State – Head Coach
2017-23 – Oral Roberts – Head Coach
2009-17 – Baylor – Assistant Coach
2003-09 – Baylor – Coordinator of Operations
2002-03 – Rice – Operations
1998-02 – Fort Bend Baptist Academy, Head Coach
1995-98 – North Belt Christian Academy, Head Coach
 
Awards:
Hugh Durham Award Finalist (2023)
Jim Phelan Award Finalist (2023)
Skip Prosser Man of the Year Finalist (2023)
Summit League Coach of the Year (2023)
 
Year-by-Year (as Head Coach):
2017-18 – 11-21
2018-19 – 11-21
2019-20 – 17-14 – CIT (Invited; Canceled due to COVID-19)
2020-21 – 18-11 – NCAA Sweet 16
2021-22 – 19-12
2022-23 – 30-5 – Summit League RS, Tourney Champs, NCAA Rd. of 64
TOTAL: 106-84
 
Postseason Experience (as Head Coach):
2023 – NCAA, Round of 64
2021 – NCAA, Sweet 16
2020 – CIT, Invited (canceled due to COVID-19)
 
Postseason Experience (on Baylor Staff):
7 NCAA tournaments – Elite Eight (2010, 2012); Sweet 16 (2010, 2012, 2014, 2017)
2 NITs – Champion (2013), Runner-Up (2009)
 
Coaching Tree:
Solomon Bozeman (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
Talvin Hester (Louisiana Tech)