Mike McCutchen is entering his second full season as athletic director at Freed-Hardeman University. However, McCutchen is no stranger to Freed-Hardeman athletics.
McCutchen, a 1977 graduate of FHU, returned to his alma mater in 1986 as the assistant men's basketball coach and director of intramurals. He had previously been the head boys basketball coach at Adamsville (Tenn.) High School, the school that produced Lion Hall of Famer Randall Avery, since 1980.
In 1988, McCutchen succeeded Charlie Smith as the head coach of the men's basketball program. Under his leadership, the Lions were able to achieve a new level of success. The program won 20 games for the first time in school history in 1996, going 23-10. Two years later, the Lions made their first-ever appearance in the NAIA National Tournament. From 1995 to 2003, the Lions won 20 or more games six times and amassed a 166-101 record during the eight-year period and achieved the program's highest-ever national ranking (No. 6) during the 2002-03 season.
McCutchen gave up the whistle in 2005 for the classroom. For two years, he worked in academic services while teaching interdisciplinary studies and supervising student-teachers before being announced as Freed-Hardeman's new athletic director on April 4, 2007. He continues to teach some classes and supervise student-teachers today.
McCutchen holds a Master of Education degree in adminstration and supervision from the University of Memphis. He has served as an elder at the Henderson church of Christ since 2000. His wife, Spring, is also a graduate of FHU and has served as cheerleading sponsor. They have two children: Erin, a graduate of FHU, and Michael, a senior member of the Lion basketball team.
