Austin Claunch, a former Emory University standout on the men's basketball team and a member of the 2023 Emory Athletics Hall of Fame induction class, is making headlines this March as the Alabama Crimson Tide have reached the Division I Final Four for the first time in their program history. Claunch, who played for the Eagles from 2008 through 2012, is in his first season as an assistant on the coaching staff.

Alabama is on its way to Phoenix after a memorable March run so far, knocking off the College of Charleston and Grand Canyon during the first weekend of the tournament before toppling the top-seed in the West, North Carolina, in the Sweet 16 and sixth-seeded Clemson University in the Elite 8.

Claunch, who was hired as an assistant on Nate Oats' staff in April, remarked on his whirlwind of the past year that included his run with the Tide, his induction into the Emory Hall of Fame and his appointment as the next head coach of University of Texas-San Antonio in early March.

"The ride so far has been everything imaginable," remarked Claunch, who is getting his first taste of March Madness this year. "I honestly cannot put it into words but I'm ecstatic with our run so far and we are not done yet."

Before Alabama's run to the national semifinals, Claunch was named the next head coach of UTSA, marking a return to his home state of Texas and as a head coach at the Division I level. Prior to joining the Crimson Tide, Claunch was the youngest DI head coach while at Nicholls State University, directing the team to Southland Conference regular season championships in 2021 and 2022. He also has coaching stops as an assistant with the Colonels as well as stints with Clemson and George Mason. With his growth as a coach, Claunch attributes a lot of his career trajectory to the valuable lessons he learned while as a student-athlete at Emory.

"I would not be where I am today without Emory," said Claunch. "The teammates I played with and relationships I built are some of the strongest bonds I have and is something I try to teach my players to create during their time as student-athletes."

Claunch always knew he wanted to be a coach and is grateful for the opportunity to play under the Eagles' coaching staff. He credits coach Jason Zimmerman to the style of coaching he has adopted as well as some of the assistants he had the pleasure of playing under.

While a member of the Eagles, Claunch was a program-defining point guard that graduated as the program's all-time assists leader. He was a three-time All-University Athletic Association First Team selection and became just the third player in program history to be recognized by the NABC organization, earning two All-South Region honors. He added two All-Region selections from D3hoops.com and was one of three Eagles to be honored on the UAA Men's Basketball 25th Anniversary Team. He was honored in October as part of the latest induction class of the Emory Athletics Hall of Fame.

"Being included in the Emory Hall of Fame class came as an incredible surprise but extremely thankful to everyone who helped make it possible."

"Austin has a great ability to add value to any group he is a part of or leads," said Zimmerman. "For anyone who knows Austin you are not surprised by his success. His commitment to making a difference and his care for others shines though in the relationships he builds. Austin and his teammates are a major part of the foundation of our basketball program. We are happy, proud, and grateful for him and we will all be pulling for him this weekend and beyond."

Alabama is set to face defending national champion UConn on Saturday, April 6 at 6:09 PM ET with a spot in Monday's national championship on the line.