CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Coastal Carolina assistant and Citadel graduate Ed Conroy was named the new coach of the Bulldogs on Friday.

Conroy takes over for Pat Dennis, who stepped down last month after 14 years with the military college, compiling a 158-232 record.

Conroy was a three-year started for The Citadel in the mid-1980s, playing for current athletic director Les Robinson. He also rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Corps of Cadets, the highest rank achieved by a basketball player in the school's modern era.

"It's an honor and privilege to come back and be the basketball coach at my alma mater, a place that means a great deal to me and is a big part of who I am today," Conroy said.

Conroy has been following Coastal Carolina coach Buzz Peterson around for the last several years, serving last season as an assistant for the Chanticleers and four years with Peterson at Tennessee as both an assistant and director of basketball operations.

Conroy was a head coach once before, going 41-40 in three seasons with Francis Marion.

He started his career as an assistant at North Carolina State, where Robinson was coach.

Robinson said Conroy is not just a great match as basketball coach, but also the right man for the uncommon requirements of a military school like The Citadel.

"Our theme at The Citadel is that we want to graduate young men and women who will become principled leaders in our society," Robinson said. "Ed Conroy is a walking example of this model. He is what we want as an alumnus and coach and he is someone all Citadel alumni can take pride in him as our basketball coach."