Possail to Step Down at the End of the Season

Columbia, Mo. – Columbia College women’s basketball head coach, Taylor Possail, has announced this will be his final season leading the Cougar program. 
 
Possail is stepping away from coaching to focus his energy, enthusiasm, and passion on his family. 
 
“Eight years ago, Columbia College opened its arms to a young coach looking for an opportunity,” said Possail. “When I moved here and accepted a position at Columbia College, I knew only a couple of people, but immediately I felt at home because of the commitment and competitiveness of this great institution. It was motivating and drove me to be the best possible coach, to give our fans an exciting experience at Cougar women’s basketball games, and to run a program that made everyone proud to be a Cougar!”
 
Possail started at Columbia in 2014-15 as a graduate assistant under Jessica Keller, before moving to an assistant coach position in 2016-17. During those three seasons, the Cougars went 75-24 and made the NAIA National Tournament twice. In 2017 Coach Possail was named the WBCA NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year.  
 
On May 4, 2017, Possail was named the third head coach in CC women’s basketball history. To date, Possail has guided the Cougars to an overall record of 114-29 and became the fastest coach in Columbia women’s basketball history to reach the 100-win plateau, doing so in just 126 games.  
 
Since taking over the head coaching job, Possail has coached eight NAIA All-Americans, 21 All-conference players, 46 AMC Academic All-Conference players, 11 NAIA Scholar-Athletes, and nine members of the player 100-win club. As a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), he serves as the Region 3 representative on the NAIA All-America and Coach of the Year committees and is the liaison between the AMC and the WBCA. 
 
“I am excited and nervous for the next step of my life, but I am ready to attack it the same way we attacked every day at Columbia College,” said Possail. “The program is in a wonderful place, and I am proud of what we have accomplished. The future of CC women’s basketball is bright, and I am already looking forward to watching them next season.” 
 
Columbia College President Dr. David Russell has appointed Director of Athletics James Arnold as the fourth head women’s basketball coach in program history.  
 
When evaluating the departure of Coach Possail, it was abundantly clear Arnold would be the best choice for continued success when considering continuity, experience, and expertise. Prior to joining Columbia College, Arnold was a successful women’s basketball coach at the collegiate level for nearly two decades.  
 
“Coach Possail has done a remarkable job during his tenure at the college,” said Dr. David Russell, president of Columbia College. “His focus on supporting our student-athletes from recruitment to graduation has been admirable. The opportunity to continue the level of excellence our women’s basketball program has achieved is now in the very capable hands of James Arnold. He has been successful at every level of college basketball and we are fortunate to be able to make a smooth transition of leadership for our program.”
 
Arnold, who will remain the director of athletics, will officially take the helm on April 1st and work closely with Possail for a smooth transition.