Ray Likely is in his third season as an assistant coach at Carson-Newman.  

Likely has helped Carson-Newman to its first SAC tournament title since 2001-02 and helped guide C-N to its first back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances in school history. 

Likely finished his four-year career for the Eagles with 175 career points and 137 rebounds as one of C-N's more reliable role players in 2014.

"It was obvious to me over the last couple years that Ray had a great feel for the game," Carson-Newman head coach Chuck Benson said. "He took on a role that enabled him to look at things from a coach's perspective and he embraced that role. He is beyond capable as a coach and truly understands the intrinsics, strategy and recruiting surround the game of college basketball."

That role has enable Likely to make coaching decisions when he was a player at C-N.  It was Likely who called the play that helped the Eagles defeat Newberry in 2013 at Eleazer Arena in overtime 89-83.  With 14 seconds left, the Eagles got the ball into the high post to Cody Henegar (South Pittsburg, Tenn.).  A bounce down to the right block found a cutting Collin Crane (Knoxville, Tenn.) wide open from point blank range to tie the game at 71.

Likely is heavily involved with scouting and film breakdown.  His primary responsibility is recruiting.

Eagle fans can follow Likely on Twitter @coachlikelycnu.