mckayJerry Falwell Jr and Jeff Barber officially introduced Ritchie McKay as head coach on Wednesday afternoon in a press conference on the 3rd floor of the Williams Stadium press tower. McKay signed a 5 year contract, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

McKay was Liberty’s head coach for 2 years from 2007-2009. He had a record of 39-28 in his 2 seasons with the Flames. He returns after spending the past 6 seasons on Tony Bennett’s staff at Virginia. “I want to thank Tony Bennett,” McKay said during the press conference. “He is a dear friend. I love him to death.”

Athletic Director Jeff Barber said, “Ritchie knows Liberty. He loves Liberty.” He further explained why McKay was the choice, “You put this offensive mind with his defensive experience (under Tony Bennett) and it’s a deadly combination.” McKay says he intends to bring Bennett’s famous pack-line defense to Liberty with him. “I learned a lot from (Bennett). I’m excited to see if we can put that together here. I think I’m a better coach by the time I spent in Charlottesville.”

Barber says he doesn’t fear McKay leaving again and gave evidence by pointing out that Ritchie’s daughter, Ellie, is a current student at Liberty. Barber also said that McKay told him during this process, “‘I’m not going to talk to anybody until you tell me I’m not the coach at Liberty.’ That showed me his desire to be here.” McKay explained himself by saying, “I never left because Liberty wasn’t enough. I left to go and be obedient to what I thought was our responsibility, to go serve a friend who asked me to come along.” Both Barber and Falwell stated that McKay told them he intends to retire at Liberty. “I’m truly honored and blessed to have the opportunity to come back to Liberty,” McKay stated during the press conference.

McKay would not mention any potential staff members by name, but just stated there have been discussions. He was directly asked about current Virginia Director of Player Development Brad Soucie. McKay responded, “we’ve had discussions.” Soucie has been an assistant under McKay at each of his head coaching stops. Current Liberty Director of Basketball Operations Matt Olinger served in the same position at Liberty under McKay in 2008-09.