July 16, 2004
FORT WORTH, Texas
TCU Women's Basketball Associate Head Coach Larry Tidwell will be inducted into the Austin College Hall of Fame Sunday, July 18. Tidwell, who is entering his sixth year with the Lady Frogs, earned a place in the Sanger High School Hall of Fame last year. In May 2002, Tidwell was honored as an AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year, making him one of 500 assistant coaches across the country to receive the award among 300,000 candidates.
"I'm extremely honored and proud to receive this kind of recognition," Tidwell said. "Without a doubt, it's very humbling. I met a lot of great student-athletes and people at Austin College. We were there when its athletic programs were a little down and I think we helped turn things around. I'm proud of what we accomplished there."
During the 1971-72 academic year, Tidwell played freshman football and basketball at TCU, before transferring to Austin College, where he earned three monograms in football, three in baseball and two in track. A member of Beta Chi Omega national fraternity, he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the school in 1976.
Tidwell, a 29-year coaching veteran, coordinates recruiting efforts for the Lady Frogs, helps with on-the-floor coaching and gives individual instruction to the Lady Frogs' post players. A tireless worker who now has coached in the Big 12 Conference, Western Athletic Conference, Conference USA and the former Southwest Conference, Tidwell has established a reputation as an organized and motivated recruiter who will go anywhere and everywhere to find talent.
Coach Jeff Mittie named Tidwell to his staff prior to the 1999-2000 campaign. The results have been impressive, as the Lady Frogs have posted 110 victories over five seasons, by far the most wins over a five-year period in school history. Tidwell was instrumental in bringing in TCU's 2000 recruiting class, which was ranked 22nd in the country. His hard work has continued, as the Frogs' 2001 class was ranked as high as fourth nationally, making it the most highly touted in the program's history. The 2002 version was tabbed the 26th-best in the country, while the 2003 group received a No. 10 billing. This past year's class received the same ranking as the 2002 class.
Tidwell came to TCU after a brief stint as an assistant coach at the University of South Florida. Prior to that post, he served as athletics director and head coach at Mexia (Texas) High School. Before assuming his duties at Mexia, Tidwell served six seasons as an assistant coach at Baylor University. During his tenure with the Bears, Tidwell saw Baylor capture 35 victories over his final two seasons and secure a WNIT berth. His recruiting classes were recognized among the top 25 in the nation on two occasions. In all, seven of his 11 college recruiting classes have been recognized among the nation's top 30.
A native of Sanger, Texas, Tidwell made four stops (Frisco, Lexington, Schulenburg and Mexia) during 18 years in Texas high schools, compiling a 283-65 career record as a head coach, good for an .813 winning percentage. In women's basketball, his teams made 10 state playoff appearances.
Tidwell has served on the board of directors of the Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) and the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC). In 1991, he coached in the TGCA All-Star game. He also has served as assistant director of the TABC summer camps for girls. Named "Teacher of the Year" on two occasions, Tidwell was honored as Schulenburg's "Citizen of the Year" in 1991.
Married to the former Teresa Ann Davis, also of Sanger, the couple has three sons, Michael, Marc and Marty. In addition, Tidwell has two daughters-in-law, Michelle and Kristin, two granddaughters, Ryan and Skylar, and two grandsons, William and Matthew.
