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In just three years, Dip Metress has taken Augusta State from a losing record to a Peach Belt Conference regular-season championship

Now in his fourth season at the helm of the men’s basketball program, Metress hopes to lead the Jaguars to a much loftier perch.

Metress, who was named the fifth head coach in the program’s history on May 10, 2004, wasted little time in rebuilding the Jaguars. He won 19 games in his first season at the helm of the Jaguar program, leading ASU to victories over three nationally-ranked opponents.

Metress added 15 wins in his second season and then guided ASU to its second-best season in school history in 2006-07.

Not only did the Jags win 24 games and a PBC regular-season championship, Metress was named PBC Coach-of-the-Year and ASU earned a No. 1 regional seeding. The Jags served as hosts of the NCAA South Atlantic Regional, advancing to the semifinals and earning a season-ending No. 18 national ranking

They have also made Christenberry Fieldhouse one of the toughest places to play in the Southeast. Under Metress, the Jags have led the Peach Belt Conference in attendance and created a definite homecourt advantage. The Jags have posted a 31-7 (.816) record in Christenberry Fieldhouse, including a stretch of 10 consecutive home wins in 2006-07, and a student group initiated by Metress and known as the “Blue Crew” has rallied around the program, providing a “big game” atmosphere every time out ASU takes the home floor.

Under Metress’ watch, two Jags have won PBC Freshman of the Year honors over the last three seasons and Tyrekus “AJ” Bowman -- Metress’ first recruit when he accepted the ASU head job -- not only won PBC Player of the Year honors in 2006-07, he was named the Player of the Year in the state of Georgia among all levels.

Metress returned to Augusta following a highly successful, eight-year stint as head men’s basketball coach at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C. During his tenure, Metress guided his alma mater to a 134-103 (.565) record, including a 117-66 (.639) mark over his last six years. During his last four years at the Abbey, the Crusaders posted a 40-8 (.833) record at home and an overall mark of 84-35 (.706), and in the last three years, they were 68-23 (.747). He also served as Compliance Director at Belmont Abbey from 1997-2004.

A former Augusta State assistant, Metress served on the Jaguars’ coaching staff under former head coach and current Director of Athletics Clint Bryant from 1989-1995.

During those six seasons, Metress oversaw preseason and postseason workouts, monitored academic progress and coordinated the Jags’ recruiting efforts under Bryant.

Metress guided Belmont-Abbey to a pair of CVAC (Carolina-Virginia Athletic Conference) Tournament titles in 2001-02 and 2002-03. The Crusaders made a pair of Division II NCAA Tournament appearances during that span, advancing to the East Region Semifinals in 2002. They earned the highest national ranking in school history in 2002-03 when they stood 11th in the final poll.

Metress’ 2001-02 Crusader squad caught the attention of college basketball fans when it defeated Division I College of Charleston 70-67 in Charleston, S.C., snapping the Cougars’ 22-game home winning streak, which ranked as the fifth-longest in the nation. During that magical campaign, Belmont-Abbey won the CVAC regular season and tournament titles, earned a final No. 3 East Region ranking and posted a 25-6 record. Metress earned CVAC Coach-of-the-Year and East Region Coach-of-the-Year honors.

Metress has also helped spur the careers of several assistants. His former aides who have continued their coaching careers include: Nate Dixon, as assistant men’s coach at New Orleans; Jeff Brookman, assistant men’s coach at Anderson University; Ganon Baker, player development assistant for the Nike Grassroots program; Jason Hoseny, head women’s coach at Lower Columbia College in Tacoma, Wash.; and most recently, Jay Newberry, who spent two seasons on Metress’ staff at ASU before joining the Ball State men’s coaching staff.

Off the court, Metress has been equally successful. Under his watch, 23 of 26 Augusta State and Belmont Abbey seniors graduated. The Jaguar and Crusader basketball camp have been a huge success, averaging over 200 campers.

A 1988 graduate of Belmont Abbey with a B.A. in Political Science, Metress earned his M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from Augusta State in 1992.

Metress, 41, is married to the former Heather Bradford of Lincolnton, Ga. They are the parents of a daughter, Elizabeth Margaret.