George Suggs has served as the head men’s basketball coach at McKendree University since March 23, 2021. Since taking the helm, Suggs has rapidly elevated the Bearcats program to new heights in NCAA Division II.
In his first season (2021–22), Suggs guided McKendree to a 14-12 record—marking the highest winning percentage of the program’s NCAA DII era—and led the Bearcats to their first-ever victory in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Tournament. His impact was immediately recognized, earning him HoopDirt.com NCAA Division II Coach of the Week honors in January 2022.
The 2022–23 season proved historic, as Suggs led McKendree to its first-ever GLVC Championship, first NCAA Tournament appearance, and a run to the Sweet Sixteen. Under his leadership, former players such as Milos Vicentric became the program’s first NCAA Division II All-American, while standout guard Bryson Bultman earned First-Team All-GLVC and Second-Team All-Region honors. Remarkably, Suggs has never missed the postseason as a head coach.
Suggs began his coaching journey at McKendree in 2018 as a graduate assistant for two seasons before being promoted to full-time assistant coach in 2020 for one.
Prior to coaching, Suggs was a standout 6-foot-10 forward at Bellarmine University, where he scored over 1,000 career points. He was a First-Team All-GLVC selection and the GLVC Defensive Player of the Year in 2015–16. Suggs helped lead the Knights to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including Sweet Sixteen and Final Four runs. Known for his shooting ability, he finished his collegiate career with a 43% three-point percentage and a 77.4% free-throw mark.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, and graduate of Vianney High School, Suggs earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Bellarmine University in 2016 and a master’s degree from McKendree University in 2020. He was also a Dean’s List honoree during his academic career.
Last Updated on 10/24/2025
