When talking about long-standing head coaches in college basketball, Chris Mooney’s name deserves a spot near the top. The 53-year-old has been leading the Richmond Spiders since 2005, shaping the program into one defined by consistency, class, and competitiveness.
Across his career, Mooney has tallied 400 total wins, including previous stops with the Beaver Knights and a one-year run at Air Force. At Richmond alone, he owns a record of 358–290, with 180 of those victories coming in Atlantic 10 Conference play. That total makes him the winningest head coach in school history, a title earned through patience, development, and a deep understanding of the game.
Eyes on a Bounce-Back Season
The Spiders are coming off a tough 10–22 campaign, but optimism surrounds the 2025–26 season. Mooney and his staff have leaned into the transfer portal to reshape the roster, a strategy that has paid off for many mid-major programs in recent years.
Just a year prior, Richmond tied for first in the Atlantic 10, a reminder of how quickly Mooney’s teams can turn things around. His history of building chemistry and balance gives fans plenty of reason to believe another resurgence could be on the horizon.
Tournament Pedigree and Program Pride
Mooney has guided Richmond to three NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure. The 2010–11 team remains one of the program’s best, finishing 29–8 and reaching the Sweet 16. A decade later, the 2021–22 squad captured the Atlantic 10 Tournament title and pulled off a memorable first-round upset of fifth-seeded Iowa before falling to Providence in the Round of 32.
In total, Mooney has earned two Atlantic 10 Tournament titles, two regular-season crowns, and was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 2024.
Looking Ahead to the 2025–26 Journey
The Spiders open their new campaign on November 5th at home against Southern Virginia, followed by a matchup with East Carolina later that week. Over Thanksgiving, Richmond will head to Orlando for a multi-team event that begins with a game against Furman, and potential follow-ups against Charlotte or Illinois State.
Conference play begins on New Year’s Eve when George Washington visits the Robins Center, marking the first step in what Mooney hopes will be another memorable run for a program built on tradition and resilience.