Lincoln, do you remember what factors played into your deciding to sign with Chattanooga out of high school?
Being recruited as a high school senior, I’m sure is exciting for any student/athlete. The attention that you receive from college programs makes you feel like the most talented, most highly recruited player in the country. For me it was truly a blessing just to get a call from Mid-Major Division 1 University like Chattanooga , Western, Liberty , UNC-Asheville, much less be asked to come play on scholarship. I think I decided on Chattanooga when I came on my visit. I loved the area, the downtown campus, and was sold when I got to the arena. I remember Coach White walking me up to the top seat in the arena and we didn’t look down until I turned around and sat down at the top seat. I thought to myself, “Does this arena fill up for all our games?” Come to find out, it didn’t, but it felt like it was full when the crowd rolled in. One thing I always loved as a player was every time we came out of the tunnel how the floor shook from the cheer of the crowd combined with the sound of our awesome pep band. No feeling compares to that.
It did fill up my freshman year when Dicky V and the Michigan Wolverines came to town. That was an amazing experience.
In your first year or two you had the chance to play with a teammate who later became known by his initials, TO (Terrell Owens). Do you have any stories or thoughts that you would like to relate about him as a friend and teammate?
I do have stories but this general one would probably be best to share. I was one of the few guys on the team that had a car (94 Mitsubishi Eclipse), that being the case I normally was the one the guys came to when they needed to get from A to B. Imagine driving Roger Smith, Pat Henderson, and Terrell Owens around in a small little hatchback Eclipse. There were a few times that the car was so full we had to leave the hatchback open. There were many times Terrell needed a ride and I would take him wherever he needed to go. If I only knew then, what I know now, I would have kept a running tab on gas and my taxi service fees. If I let the interest add up it would be a nice chunk of change by now!
As a member of the Sweet Sixteen team of 1997, how did it feel to be getting national attention as one of the first "Cinderellas" of the Big Dance?
I had the privilege of being a part of 2 NCAA Tournament births for Chattanooga . The first (94-95) was when we drew a 16 seed and landed in Salt Lake City opening up with #1 seed Connecticut . Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie, Donyell Marshall and the rest of the UCONN crew put a hurting on little old Chattanooga . Nonetheless, it was a great experience, which I believe in a lot of ways prepared us for 1997 when we went back. There are really no words to describe it: the media, the crowds, the security was unbelievable. I remember driving to the arena in Birmingham and having a police motorcycle escort surrounding our bus speeding ahead to block on comers entering the highway, and clearing the intersection at traffic lights to let us pass through without stopping. I remember thinking to myself, “This is probably what the president feels like”. When we got off the bus there were crowds all around us. Once we got into the arena, I think it was Kansas playing at the time we arrived and when the crowds saw the Cinderella Mocs come in they erupted for little Chattanooga. It was an amazing experience.
Do you have a favorite memory of those games in March 1997?
I remember opening up against Georgia in the first round and going into the first media time out and we were ahead and it was that moment that the entire team started to believe that we deserved to be here. I think we opened up the game with something like a 13 to 2 lead and we didn’t look back.
You are bringing your team, Montreat, into Chattanooga to play in the arena where you played, will this be a special moment in your young career?
Absolutely. One of the first things I did when I was named head coach was call Chattanooga to see if they needed any more non D1 games for this up coming season. My heart’s desire is to someday be back at Chattanooga in some basketball capacity.
How is your team looking this year? What will be your team's strengths?
I think our guys will work hard this year. They want to see some success especially coming out of last year’s season. I think our strength will be the immediate experience that we’re bringing in. Our entire incoming recruiting class are transfer students from somewhere (via junior college, prep school, or 4 year transfers).
Any closing comments for mocfans?
I’ve always appreciated the fan support that Chattanooga basketball has had over the years. It is truly a privilege to be a part of a family like that, where the entire town supports you. It will be like a mini homecoming for me when we role in over New Year’s and I’m hoping for one more Cinderella experience!

