Charles Wimphrie

Charles Wimphrie enters his 19th year coaching at Southern Wesleyan University. His first two years was at the helm of the Lady Warrior program in 1991.  Wimphrie then accepted the job as head coach of the men's program in 1993 and has led the Warriors on the court since that time. 

A Laurens, SC native, Wimphrie started his playing career at Laurens High School in 1976. He led the Raiders in scoring (20.0) and rebounds (15.5). He received a basketball scholarship to The Citadel in Charleston, SC. There he played for former North Carolina State basketball coach Les Robinson. Wimphrie finished his career at SWU where some of his records still stand. In 1981, he was fifth in the Nation in scoring (27.5). He holds SWU’s single season scoring record (781) and most points in a single game (47). He went on to play professionally in South America Brazil.

Wimphrie began his coaching career at SWU in 1986 as an assistant coach. He spent two years as assistant before being named head women’s coach at SWU in 1991. He guided the Lady Warriors to the 1992 Palmetto State Conference Championship with a 22-5 record. He was named NAIA District Six Coach-of-the-Year and Palmetto State Conference Coach-of-the-Year.

In 1993 Wimphrie was named SWU’s men’s coach. He guided the Warriors to back-to-back 20 wins seasons. He has compiled an overall coaching record of 293-312, with 261 of those wins coming as leader of the men's squad.  

Wimphrie’s 1999 team made it to the “Final Four” of the GACC Tournament, but lost a close 3- point battle to Faulkner University in the semi-finals. The Warriors went on to capture the NCCAA South Region Championship and earned a bid to the NCCAA Nationals in Oakland, Indiana. The Warriors finished the season with a school record 26 wins. The 2003-2004 team finished the season with an 18-13 overall record and 12-7 in the GACC, good enough for a third place conference finish.

The defining season arrived in 2005-2006 as the Warriors earned a berth in the NAIA National Tournament.  The team also ended the regular conference season as runner-up in the highly competitive Southern States Athletic Conference.

During Wimphrie’s tenure at SWU, several former players have gone into different professional fields. Four former players were offered professional basketball contracts oversees. Eight are presently coaching high school basketball teams and others are currently working in the ministry and other business interests. Wimphrie credit the success of his former players to the experience they had here at SWU.

“I learned as a student athlete at SWU, that if you develop self discipline and grow closer to Jesus Christ, you can live a successful life. Being a student at SWU opened my eyes to Christ, helped me to prioritize my time and build my character. I instill the same principles in all my players.”

During the spring of 2007, Wimphrie was instrumental in helping to plant a Church in Fountain Inn, SC. New Life in Christ Missionary Baptist Church, pastored by Dr. Stephen S. Lomax, has grown from 30 members to over 100 members in less than three years. In  November of 2008, the Church started a "Homeless Ministry"  Each Sunday morning, the Church's van picks up homeless people throughout Greenville County and bring them to Church for Sunday School and morning services. While there, the ministry feed them breakfast and dinner. Wimphrie is also a Trustee and the Church Treasurer.
 
During the summer months, Wimphrie directs the Athletes for Christ and the Fundaments First Basketball Camps for children. He also finds time to work as a staff member at the University of Notre Dame basketball camps.

Wimphrie and his wife Sandra resides in Easley. They have four children Byron, Quinton, Eudera, and Jemiah. The Wimphrie's are also registered foster parents in Pickens County.