After 12 years as an assistant coach at UNC Asheville, Nick McDevitt’s dream came true on April 26 when he was named head coach of the men’s basketball team.

McDevitt, 34, was chosen to succeed his mentor, Eddie Biedenbach, who is the school’s all-time leader in wins.

Biedenbach resigned on April 2 after 17 seasons and a 256-258 record at UNCA to take an assistant coach’s job at UNC Wilmington.

Prior to being hired by Biedenbach as an assistant coach, McDevitt play for his mentor from 1997 to 2001. After 10 years as a UNCA assistant coach McDevitt has served for the past two years as associate head coach.

“My primary job is to win games, and we’re going to win games,” McDevitt said.