by Shawn Nowlin
A Roanoke College employee has just received a significant promotion. Initially hired in April 2020 to join Coach Clay Nunley’s staff, it took Marc Slade just three years to be promoted to Associate Head Coach for the Maroon’s basketball program.
Slade, who will be involved in all facets of the program, is elated about this opportunity. “It is a tremendous honor to be a part of this Roanoke College family. The basketball program has a rich tradition of success and we look forward to adding on to that tradition. I am excited to continue working with Coach Nunley and help this program do great things. We want to continue to develop well-rounded young men in the community, classroom, and on the court,” he said.
With the hiring of Slade, the rest of RC’s basketball coaching staff is as follows: Nick Price ’22 (Assistant Coach), Brad Dunleavy ‘01 (Ast. Coach), James Pennix ’88 (Ast. Coach), and Joe Cotter (Program Assistant).
Roanoke College marks the third Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) institution Slade has worked for with Guilford College and Randolph College being the other two. During the 2019-20 season, Slade served as a recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at Emory & Henry. At Guilford, he helped coach three all-conference players.
“I have known Coach Slade for five years and have observed and respected the work he’s done during his time in the ODAC,” said Nunley. “In addition, he’s worked for a couple of my closest friends who highly recommended him. I’m excited to have him on board with us and confident that he will hit the ground running to serve, invest in, and positively impact our student-athletes and help our program build on its success.”
A multi-year letterman at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Slade was named captain of the basketball team during his senior year. He also lettered in cross country. After earning his Bachelor’s in Exercise Science/Physical Education in 2011, Slade furthered his education, graduating in 2014 with a master’s in sports management from the United States Sports Academy.
Slade honed his coaching skills by interning with Accelerate Basketball in Charlotte and the Cary Invasion of the Tobacco Road Basketball League.
Last year, Roanoke College finished fourth in the ODAC, going 12 and 4. Overall, RC amassed a 20-7 (74.1%) record. The 2023-24 season starts in November, and Slade says he couldn’t be more excited to compete on the hardwood.
