JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman men's basketball alum Collin Crane has moved from the University of Florida to become the head strength coach for men's basketball at Missouri State. 

"We're so proud of Collin," Carson-Newman head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson said. "He's exemplified everything that this program has been about and has continued to further himself in the world of basketball. I couldn't be happier for him to take this step in his career."

Crane takes the next step in his career after apprenticing under Florida head strength coach Preston Greene, one of the absolute best in the business, with a chance to apply what he learned at UF to players in the Missouri Valley Conference.   The Bears went 20-13 last year and played in the CollegeInsider.com postseason tournament.

"I've watched tape of them and tried to determine how they play," Crane said, noting the Bears had a 20-point lead on unbeaten Wichita State during the season, only to become just another victim of the Shockers' 35-game winning streak. "It's an opportunity to build a foundation with a really young team and make what we do in the weight room part of the culture there." 

Crane also doubled as strength coach for the Gators men's tennis squad. 

While at Carson-Newman, Crane was known as an intense hustle player.  He averaged five points, three boards and a steal a game through his career. Crane indicated his time at Mossy Creek has greatly impacted his career post C-N.

"I've seen every level of basketball from being an assistant strength coach at Florida to playing high school ball at Karns and can tell you Carson-Newman and Chuck Benson run a first class program all the way," Crane said.  "He does a great job of making the players feel important.  The program truly has a Division I feel.  I grew more playing four years for him than any years previous to that in my life."  

-CN-