Well, it’s official. The search is over, and as predicted High Point didn’t have to look very far or take very long. The Panthers have officially named Flynn Clayman as the 15th head coach in program history—and if you’ve been paying attention, this hire just makes sense.

I can say with certainty that this wasn’t a hire made out of desperation or driven by a ticking clock. At least five well-respected coaches from across the college basketball landscape engaged with the search committee—but none made a strong enough case to pull the decision-makers away from their top internal option. Sources close to the program have said HPU anticipated a possible change for some time, and Clayman was always seen as a serious contender. He fully participated in the interview process and impressed with a clear vision, deep passion, and a plan that aligned perfectly with the university’s values. It didn’t take long for the braintrust to realize they could end the search—they had their guy.

Clayman has been the architect behind High Point’s explosive offense over the last two seasons. As Associate Head Coach and offensive coordinator, he helped transform the Panthers into one of the most efficient scoring machines in the country—ranking 3rd nationally in KenPom offensive efficiency, ahead of blue bloods like Kansas and even this year’s national champion, Florida. His fingerprints were all over an offense that led the Big South in back-to-back seasons and helped rack up a 56–15 record, two regular-season titles, and HPU’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

This wasn’t just a good offense by High Point standards. It was nationally elite.

But beyond the X’s and O’s, Clayman has been a force on the recruiting trail. His ties span both domestic and international pipelines—Australia, the WAC, the AAU scene—you name it. Before arriving in High Point, he was already turning heads at Southern Utah, where he helped guide the Thunderbirds to 24+ wins, a CBI run, and the program’s best NET/KenPom rankings ever. He even took over as interim head coach and went 2-1 in the postseason.

At High Point, his recruiting and development track record has only grown stronger. He’s been key in bringing in high-level talent, mentoring First Team all-conference players, and building the kind of culture that doesn’t just win games—it sustains success.

Here’s what President Qubein had to say about the hire:

“Flynn Clayman has played a pivotal role in HPU’s recruiting and offensive success during the past two seasons. Players appreciate his leadership, and his values align with the values of our university.”

Athletic Director Dan Hauser echoed that:

“Flynn has been instrumental in creating one of the top five nationally ranked offenses in the country. His connections within the domestic and international recruiting space are outstanding. The championship success of High Point University basketball is here to stay under head coach Flynn Clayman.”

Clayman himself added:

“I am unbelievably honored to have the opportunity to continue to lead this program in the right direction”

From a program perspective, this is the perfect blend of continuity and ambition. Clayman isn’t here to hit reset—he’s here to keep pushing forward. The Panthers posted back-to-back 20+ win seasons, held a 31–3 record at the Qubein Center, and just finished 29–6 overall, tying the Big South record for most wins in a single season. They cracked the Mid-Major Top 25 and stayed there for 34 straight weeks, peaking at No. 5 and even receiving AP Top 25 votes.

They’ve also gotten off to a strong start in building next year’s roster—and the future looks just as bright. Key contributors from last season’s record-breaking squad are returning, along with exciting young talents like Josh Ibukunoluwa and Brendan Hausen. Clayman played a major role in landing four new transfer additions, all expected to bolster the Panthers’ title defense, as well as high school standouts Abu Yarmah and Caden Miller. Several of these players have already taken to social media to publicly voice their support for Coach Clayman, signaling a locker room that’s fully bought in.

There’s no need to rebuild what’s already working. Clayman gets it, he’s helped build and he’s already proven it. Now he’s just officially the guy steering the ship.

So buckle up, Panther fans. The Huss Bus may be in the rearview—but with Coach Clayman at the wheel, this ride is far from over.