Zack Freesman enters his third season as an Assistant Coach at Western Carolina University. Last season he played a vital role in WCU’s Top 4 Southern Conference regular-season finish, as well as the program’s fourth postseason appearance in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI).
“Coach (Zack) Freesman is one of the top young assistant coaches in the country. He has a unique work ethic that really stands out to those around him. He has done a tremendous job overseeing our offense and leading our recruiting efforts,” said WCU head coach Justin Gray. “Zack takes unbelievable pride in building genuine relationships with our student-athletes, far exceeding the basketball court. I’m blessed to have Zack and his wife Jillian here in Catamount Country.”
Freesman has played a big part in helping turn around the Catamount men’s basketball program. Upon hiring Freesman, Gray appointed him as the team’s offensive and special situations coordinator. Under Freesman’s leadership, Western Carolina’s offensive efficiency jumped over 140 other teams from year one to year two. The Catamounts also saw major improvements in baseline out of bounds efficiency, climbing 125 spots nationally.
At the end of the 2021-22 season, Freesman was promoted for his outstanding work in the organization of the Catamounts recruiting efforts, named the program’s recruiting coordinator. Freesman was instrumental in guiding several top prospects to Cullowhee including three preseason all-conference selections. Vonterius Woolbright, the 2023-24 SoCon Preseason Player of the Year, joined the Catamounts from the junior college ranks. Preseason All-SoCon selections Tre Jackson and Russell Jones Jr. also came to WCU from Big 12 member Iowa State and Winthrop, respectively, Jones Jr. following Freesman to the mountains having previously been coached by him at Winthrop University. For the 2023-24 season, Freesman helped land incoming redshirt freshman and LSU transfer, Corneilous Williams to Catamount Country.
Freesman oversees creating the Catamount nonconference schedule which produced a record 15 home contests this season, the most since 2009. He also helped ink a matchup with ACC foe Notre Dame, who the Catamounts defeated on the road. In addition, Freesman serves as the program’s alumni coordinator, fostering relationships and connecting former Catamounts with ones currently on roster. As well, he created a newsletter, “The Update From The Whee”, which is sent out monthly not only to alumni, but also to friends and family of the program.
Before joining Gray at Western Carolina, Freesman served head coach Pat Kelsey as the Director of Basketball Operations at Winthrop University. While in Rock Hill, Freesman helped the Eagles qualify for back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
During the 2018-19 season, Freesman was Winthrop’s Video Coordinator and was responsible for all video operations, including editing, cutting games and film exchange.
Prior to his time at Winthrop, Freesman spent two seasons at VCU as a graduate assistant. During his time, the Rams won 44 games and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. Freesman completed his master’s degree coursework in sport leadership while at VCU.
A 2016 graduate of the University of North Florida, Freesman earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management with minors in business and community leadership. He spent four years as a manager for the Ospreys’ men’s basketball program and was named head manager for the final two. In 2015, the Ospreys won back-to-back Atlantic Sun Conference Championships and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
Originally from Weston, Fla., Freesman graduated from Cypress Bay High School in 2012. He and his wife, Jillian, were married in May of 2021.
