Larry Chapman will always be a name associated with Auburn University at Montgomery men’s basketball. Only the second head coach in the program’s history, Chapman dedicated 37 seasons to the Warhawks’ men’s basketball team.Chapman took the helm in 1977 when Dr. Hanly Funderburk, AUM’s first chancellor, offered Chapman the opportunity to lead its third-year team. And over 670 wins later, he built a lasting legacy. When he entered his last season with the Warhawks, Chapman’s career record was 705-477, ranking him fifth in career victories among NAIA coaches and amongst the top 70 (61st) for all collegiate coaches. In addition to team success, 17 players have earned All-American honors under Chapman’s leadership.Along with his success on the court, Chapman doubled as the athletic director at AUM until 1999. Chapman was instrumental in AUM’s move from the Independent Region to the Georgia-Alabama-Carolina Conference, now known as the Southern States Athletic Conference. When he came to AUM, only men’s basketball and men’s tennis were offered. Chapman pushed for the addition of five sports now being offered on campus along with men’s basketball. Chapman has won 950 games, was the NAIA National Coach Of The Year and won 12 conference Coach of The Year awards.
After one year of retirement, Coach Chapman became the head coach at Macon-East Academy donating his time as the High School coach. In his first season, he took his team to the state championship and then, again, in his second season at MEA, his team won the state championship with an undefeated record at 33-0. Coach Chapman continues to give back to others as a servant leader. Chapman has 4 kids (Clint, Larry, Christa, Luke) and 12 grandchildren, one of which has the opportunity to play for him at Macon East. A legend to those who know him, a father to those who have played for him, and a better person for those who have had the fortune of speaking to him.
Coach Chapman Bio
Larry Chapman, Sr. born April 11, 1941 is a former basketball coach and Auburn University basketball player who served as the men’s college basketball head coach for Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) from 1976 to 2014.[6] Chapman was a four-year letterman for the Auburn University basketball team. At Auburn University, he is one of only two players in the history of the basketball program to start every game he ever dressed out for. Chapman was the team’s captain and an All-SEC performer.
He coached a total of 53 seasons in his college and high school head coaching career.[7]Coach Larry Chapman is the all-time winningest college basketball coach in the history of the state of Alabama. He was the NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1988. He has won more college games as a head coach than coaches John Wooden, Gene Bartow and Denny Crum.
High School Career
As a player at Long County High School in Ludowici, Ga., Chapman was a two-time All-State selection and twice led his team to the state championship tournament.
Auburn University Playing Career
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Larry Chapman played at Auburn University from 1960-64.Chapman was a four-year starter for Coach Joel Eaves. He was named All-Southeastern Conference as a sophomore and was selected as the team captain as a senior. He was the first player in Auburn University basketball history to start every game in a four-year career. His career playing record at Auburn was 52-29.
Auburn University
Coach Larry Chapman began his coaching career as an assistant coach to Hall of Famer and Auburn Coach Joel Eaves (1964-70). During his career at Auburn University, he doubled as the Auburn Freshman team head coach. He compiled a record of 86-37 and his 1966-67 freshman team went 19-1 and was conference champions. Coach Chapman played a key role in integrating Auburn University Athletics. He recruited and signed the first African American athlete in Auburn University history (Henry Harris). The following year helped recruit and sign the first African American football player in Auburn University history (James Owen).
Auburn High School
Chapman became the Auburn High School head basketball coach in 1970. The first year of integration in the Auburn City School system. Again, Chapman played a key role in integration in the Auburn community. He developed a championship program and compiled a record of 76-24 in 4 seasons.
Georgia Southern
Chapman was head basketball coach at Georgia Southern for three seasons, from 1975-1977, where he had a 35-45 record.[8]He inherited a program that was in need of rebuilding. His team’s first season at GSU had a record of 8-18 and in his third season turned the program around with a 16-11 record. After that season, Auburn University at Montgomery president Dr. Hanley Funderburk recruited him to become the AUM’s next head basketball coach.
Auburn University at Montgomery
Chapman is the winningest college basketball coach in Alabama history.
Chapman was coach for 37 seasons at Auburn University at Montgomery.
In Auburn Montgomery’s previous two seasons (Before Chapman), the men’s basketball team had won 26 total games. In Chapman’s second season, he led the team to a 20-win season.[5]
Chapman’s records at AUM included eight straight seasons with an average of 25 or more wins. His teams won three straight NAIA District 27 Championships with the team.[9] He amassed a record of 679-450 at AUM,[4] ranking him fifth in career victories among NAIA coaches. Chapman had fifteen 20-win seasons.[7] During his career he coached 17 All-Americans, won Conference Coach of the Year 12 times and over 50 all-conference players. His teams made it to the national championship tournament 11 times.
Macon East High School
Chapman was Team Captain and All-SEC at Auburn
In 2015, one year after retiring from AUM, Chapman became head basketball coach for Macon East Academy (MEA), a college preparatory school in Cecil, Alabama.[4][3]He inherited a program that did not win a game the previous season. In his first season, his team played in the state championship game. In his second season, the MEA team won the state championship, with a record of 33-0.[3]They went on to win the state championship the next season with a 32-1 record. He retired in 2018.
Coach Chapman at the National Tournament.
Retirement
In 2012, Chapman, along with his son Larry Chapman, Jr, founded the Coach Chapman Foundation, which funds AUM student athlete scholarships.[10][11]Coach Chapman is an avid hunter and fisherman. And stays in continuous contact with his former players and coaches.
