NATCHITOCHES – Attributes that contributed to Mike McConathy compiling the most coaching victories in Louisiana men's college basketball history again will be on display at Northwestern State University.
 
McConathy, who retired as the Demons' head basketball coach in 2021, is returning to Northwestern to serve as a special advisor to new President James Genovese as announced by the school Thursday afternoon. 
 
McConathy will utilize his skills in fostering relationships and his vast professional network to reinforce recruiting and external support for the university, serving as a key contact with high school personnel, including coaches in all sports, along with and countless colleagues, families and individuals he impacted in over 40 years of coaching.
 
McConathy has already begun visiting nearby high schools to initiate or rekindle relationships and said the groundswell should begin locally.
 
"It's important that we start in Natchitoches.  We have over 4,800 graduates in Natchitoches, and we've got to get more of them excited about our school," McConathy said. "I want to reengage alumni to let them know Northwestern appreciates them. They can help us communicate the positive."
 
McConathy's long career as a successful basketball coach brought him many accolades over the years but he is just as well-known as a role model engaged in community service and relationship building. On campus and in the Natchitoches area during his tenure, he often spent time weed-eating or power washing facilities, or serving in other ways.
 
In his 23 seasons at Northwestern – the alma mater of both of his parents and the basketball home of two of his uncles, both of his sons and two nephews – McConathy led the Demons to 330 wins, four Southland Conference Tournament championship games, three Southland Conference Tournament championships, three NCAA Tournament berths, two NCAA Tournament victories and the first two Southland Conference championships in program history.
 
The 2005-06 Demons' NCAA Tournament victory against No. 3-seeded Iowa remains a staple of March Madness highlight films and was one of the high points of the longest extended run of Demon basketball success at the Division I level.
 
Prior to helming the Demon program, McConathy spent 16 seasons building the Bossier Parish Community College men's basketball program from the ground up, resulting in 352 of his state-record 682 wins.
 
Coming from a family of educators, it was fitting McConathy received the 2012 National Association of Basketball Coaches Guardians of the Game Pillar – a prestigious award that represents one of the four core values of the NABC's Guardians of the Game program – education, leadership, advocacy and service.
 
He received the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches' 2023 Mr. Basketball Award, honoring the legacy he built on the sidelines of both Northwestern and Bossier Parish Community College while he worked closely with the association.
 
A self-described people person, he has been deeply involved since his Airline High School days in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. During his five-decade collegiate coaching career, McConathy used athletics as a vehicle to instill confidence, discipline and a sense of purpose in others, while reaching throughout communities and high schools around Louisiana with positive messaging.
 
The conversations advocating Northwestern are already taking place.
 
"In Shreveport and Bossier, for example, there are large high schools where our alumni are working in the school," McConathy said.  "Our focus is to work with the Office of Recruiting in places where we are currently getting about 150 students and we should be getting more."
 
Genovese said the relationships that McConathy developed with coaches, players and educators over the years will translate well into outreach to future Northwestern students, their parents and teachers.
 
"Coach McConathy's outgoing, authentic nature and relatability resonates with people," Genovese said. "Throughout his career, he supported many students and staff on their personal and professional journeys.  His experience will be important in building relationships with stakeholders.  We're very happy to have him back on our team."
 
Information for future Northwestern State students is available at http://www.nsu.la/explore.