Trojan Club Executive Director

Bill Clingan

Bill Clingan becomes the inaugural executive director of the Trojan Club, which serves as the MOC Athletics booster club.

Clingan announced his retirement as Trojan head men's basketball coach in May 2008. Clingan spent 18 years as head coach, compiling a career record of 325-195, including a 124-35 (.780) mark over the las five seasons. In 2004-05, the Trojans set a school record with 29 wins.

In his final five years as head coach, Clingan guided the Trojans to five consecutive NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship appearances, including the school's first-ever trip to the Elite Eight in 2005. The Trojans also surpassed the 20-win mark in each of his last five seasons and seven times overall.

Clingan guided Mount Olive to the 2007-08 Conference Carolinas (formerly Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference) regular season and tournament championships. The Trojans shared regular season titles in 1998-99 and 2004-05. Clingan was named 2004-05 CVAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year.

Overall, Clingan has 25 years of college coaching experience, having also coached at the Division I, NAIA and junior college levels. In addition to his coaching duties at Mount Olive, Clingan earned both his undergraduate and master's degrees from Northeastern Oklahoma State University, where he competed in basketball and track. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration and business education and his master's degree in education with an emphasis in health and physical education. He also earned an administrative degree from East Carolina University.

In addition to his duties as Trojan Club executive director, Clingan continues to serve as an associate professor in the Recreation and Leisure Studies department at Mount Olive.

Clingan is married to Mary Elizabeth "Bette" Clingan, who is a sixth grade teacher and who Coach Clingan calls "my true inspiration." They have two adult sons, Stephen and Scott, both of whom are graduates of Mount Olive College. Stephen is principal of nearby Spring Creek High School and formerly served as Clingan's assistant coach for 12 years. Scott, who spent five years as an administrative assistant for the Trojans' basketball team, attended Wake Forest University School of Medicine and is now a physician assistant with an orthopaedic practice in Winston-Salem.

Favorite quote: "Work hard and stay positive and you will be rewarded."

Advice to young people interested in participating in intercollegiate athletics: "Athletics is one of the greatest tools to prepare one for life. It teaches that in victory you continue to work hard and in defeat you work harder."

Kendrick Easley - Men's Basketball

Trojan Club Executive Director

Bill Clingan