One of the most accomplished and popular athletes in University of Delaware history has come home.
Mike Pegues (pronounced “puh-geese”), a former Academic All-American who led the Blue Hens to two NCAA Tournament appearances and finished as the all-time leading scorer in UD men’s basketball history, joined to the staff as an assistant coach on April 15, 2010.
Pegues, a native of Forestville, Md. and a former standout at national power DeMatha Catholic High School in the Washington, D.C. area, served as video coordinator at the Blue Hens’ Colonial Athletic Association rival Virginia Commonwealth Universit during the 2009-10 season.
A native of Forestville, Md. where he was a standout at national power DeMatha High School, Pegues returns to his alma mater where he will help Ross, assistant coaches R.C. Kehoe and Jeff Rafferty, and the Blue Hens return to prominence in the CAA.
“We are excited to have Mike return home to Delaware and join our staff,” said Ross in making the announcement. “I remember Mike as a great player who worked hard and was a student of the game and he will bring those same characteristics to our team as a coach. He will have the respect of our players and I know our fans will enjoy having him back.”
After serving as an assisant coach at the high school level for several years, Pegues returned to the collegiate ranks this past year and played a crucial role in VCU’s success this past season as video coordinator. First-year head coach Shaka Smart led the Rams to a record of 27-9 and the Collegiate Basketball Invitational title.
A two-time All-District selection and a 2000 CoSIDA Academic All-American, Pegues was named the co-winner of the University-wide Alexander J. Taylor Outstanding Senior Male Student Award and was selected the UD Outstanding Senior Male Athlete of the Year in 2000. He earned his degree in communications from Delaware in 2000.
The all-time leading scorer in University of Delaware basketball history, Pegues took the Blue Hens to new heights under coach Mike Brey during his career in 1996-2000. The soft-shooting Pegues tallied 2,030 career points and became the first UD men’s player to be named conference Player of the Year (1999-2000). He was inducted into the UD Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.
The only three-time first team all-conference selection in school history, the powerful but smooth forward led the Blue Hens to America East Conference titles and NCAA Tournament berths in 1998 and 1999 and to the NIT Tournament in 2000. He set numerous school records and averaged 21.8 points per game as a junior and 20.8 ppg as a senior. He was selected as the top player in UD basketball history in an internet fan poll as part of Delaware’s 100th Anniversary in 2005-06.
“This is a great hire by the University of Delaware and I am thrilled for Mike Pegues,” said Brey of the hiring. “He has a great understanding of Delaware basketball and the entire Newark community. He was such an integral part of the success our Delaware teams had during my five years there. I am happy for him that he is able to return to a place he cares so much about.”
Following his career at Delaware, Pegues went on to play professionally in Italy, New Zealand, England, and Argentina and one season in the Continental Basketball Association.
After suffering a knee injury, he returned close to home to teach at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C. He served as an assistant coach for three seasons at Bishop O’Connell High School under Joe Wooten, son of legendary high school head coach Morgan Wooten. He also coached the DC Assault AAU squad.
