Randy Vernon became the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Cumberland in 1979. In his 21 years as head coach, he established Cumberland Basketball's place as a nationally recognized and respected program. Vernon compiled a career record of 529 wins and 183 losses, for a winning percentage of 74% in 21 plus seasons. Additionally, he reached 200, 300, 400, and 500 wins faster than any coach at any level of college basketball. His teams appeared in the national tournament on eleven different occasions, reaching the elite eight twice and the final four ounce. Under Vernon's helm, Cumberland annually held a place in the national rankings. His 1985-86 team was ranked #1 for several weeks during the regular season, and entered the national tournament as the #1 seed. Under Vernon, the Indians were always at the top of the conference defensive statistics. The last two years he coached, Cumberland finished ranked #1 nationally in scoring defense.
Vernon was recognized on multiple occasions as KIAC, NAIA District 32, NAIA Area 7, and Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year. He was elected to the Tennessee Wesleyan College Hall of Fame in 1986 and the NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996, the same season that saw his Indians advance to their first ever Final Four.
Perhaps Vernon's most lasting legacy will be the impact he had on his players and those around him. His leadership skills and his strong commitment to Cumberland College caused him to be the obvious choice for Dr. Jim Taylor, as he made the decision in November 2000, to promote Vernon to the position of Director of Athletics and Assistant to the President.
Coach Vernon and his wife Lindsey reside in Williamsburg, and they have two children: Mark, a sophmore at Cumberland and a current member of the men's basketball team, and Brent, a freshman at Cumberland who serves as a student assistant to the team.
