Jim Heaps Steps Down As CMU Men’s Basketball Coach

The face of Colorado Mesa University basketball is changing  with the announcement that Jim Heaps is stepping down as men's head basketball coach to assume the position of Assistant Athletic Director for Student Success. Heaps, who played high school basketball in Delta and then for the Mavericks has served as CMU head coach for 17 seasons.

Heaps' career record with the Mavericks was 299-172, including two Rocky Mountain Athletic Championships and 4 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament appearances. In his new role at CMU, Heaps will serve as the principal liaison between the athletic department and CMU's faculty and academic services. " A tough decision for me to step down," said Heaps at a CMU press conference. "There's never a great time to stop coaching. I love the opportunity to continue working with students on the academic side."

CMU Athletic Director Tom Spicer, who joined the University in May, said "although I'm the 'new kid on the block', I know of Jim's stellar reputation on the court. I'm confident that his dedication to excellence will extend to this new role."

Heaps will be replaced on the Mavericks bench by long time assistant Andy Shantz. Shantz is a CMU graduate, and has spent 16 seasons with the Mavericks including ten years as associate head men's basketball coach and recruiting coordinator. Shantz says " For me to be able to continue my career at Colorado Mesa is extremely special. As a professional you're always trying to advance your career and I've looked at different opportunities over the  years, and I just keep coming back to I'm a Maverick. This is where I want to be."