RADFORD, Va. – Radford Athletics Director Robert Lineburg announced Zach Chu as the next head coach for the men’s basketball team on Sunday.
“We are thrilled to welcome Zach as the ninth head coach in Highlander basketball history,” an excited Lineburg said. “Having been involved in college athletics and basketball for over 30 years, I have seen the game evolve firsthand. Zach was a member of Chris Mooney’s program at the University of Richmond and has worked alongside some of the most brilliant minds in basketball, including Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. He has also played a pivotal role in the growth of SMU basketball within the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). I am confident that Zach and his staff will bring a modern, innovative approach to Radford while building on the legacy of the great coaches who came before him.”
Brooke Leonard chatted with Chu on Wednesday when he was introduced.
“You mentioned in your speech how much college basketball is resembling the NBA now, a little bit of the transfer portal imitating free agency quite a bit, Front Office staffs being added to college basketball programs. I mean, you have that NBA experience, how do you hope to bring that expertise here to Radford to set the Highlanders ahead when it comes to what the future of college basketball is going to look like?”
“Yeah, I hope a brand, I hope when you watch Radford play, I hope it’s a super entertaining style of play. Honestly, similar to the way the NBA is, and I think we’ll play with great pace and we’ll space the floor, very similar to an NBA team. I think overall, going back to it’s all about the players, when you play a style that’s most similar to professional basketball. It puts them in the best situation possible to increase their individual asset value,” Chu said.
Chu spent nine years with the NBA and most recently was the Chief Strategist for the SMU men’s basketball team.
CHU HISTORY
2025- Radford Head Coach
2024-25 SMU Chief Strategist for Men’s Basketball
2021-24 Indiana Pacers Manager of Game Strategy & Analytics
2019-21 Dallas Mavericks Basketball Analytics Liaison
2014-19 Nike Coach and Basketball Ambassador
2016-19 Texas Legends Assistant Coach (NBA G-League)
2015-16 Los Angeles Clippers Player Development Intern