GREENSBORO, N.C. – Guilford College Director of Athletics and head men’s basketball coach Tom Palombo announced the promotion of Caleb Kimbrough ’08 to associate head men’s basketball coach Tuesday.
“Caleb is an excellent recruiter and ambassador for Guilford College,” Palombo said. “He has developed a tremendous bond with each of the students he helped bring to Guilford and is very organized and detail oriented. It’s just a matter of time before he leads his own program and he’ll do a fantastic job when given the opportunity.”
Kimbrough has spent the past four seasons as Palombo’s top assistant, during which time Guilford has forged a 69-36 record and made four ODAC Tournament quarterfinal appearances. In addition, four Guilford students have combined for seven All-ODAC commendations in Kimbrough’s tenure, including three-time first-team all-league pick Josh Pittman ‘14.
A Chapel Hill, N.C., native, Kimbrough concluded his four-year Guilford career in 2008 after receiving honorable mention All-ODAC basketball recognition. He started 108 of 112 career games as the Quakers’ point guard and averaged 6.8 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. When he graduated, his 358 career assists stood fourth in school history and his 130 steals ranked third all-time at Guilford. From 2006-2008, Guilford posted a 48-10 record, won the 2008 ODAC title and made two NCAA playoff appearances.
Also an All-ODAC tennis performer, Kimbrough received Guilford’s 2008 Nereus C. English ’26 Athletic Leadership Award, the school’s highest athletic honor. He also won Guilford’s Quaker Club Ideal Student-Athlete Award and the Richard Joyce Sportsmanship Award in 2007.
After graduating, Kimbrough toured the world and played basketball with the Washington Generals, best known as the opponent of the Harlem Globetrotters. He assisted Washington and Lee University’s men’s basketball team in 2009-10. The Generals enjoyed their best record (17-10) since 1989 and earned a berth in the ODAC Tournament quarterfinals in Kimbrough’s one season as Adam Hutchinson’s assistant.
In addition to his basketball expertise, Kimbrough is a certified strength and conditioning coach.
Palombo’s Quakers open the 2014-15 campaign Nov. 15 versus the University of Maine-Farmington in the Guilford College Classic.