Maryville College basketball is saying goodbye to a transformative leader. After seven highly successful seasons, head coach Raul Placeres is making the leap to Division I, accepting an assistant coach position at Tennessee Tech, according to sources.

Placeres, a Maryville College alumnus, leaves behind an incredible legacy with the Scots' Division III program. He compiled an impressive 121-47 overall record, securing six winning seasons and four campaigns with 20 or more victories. His tenure was marked by dominance in the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS), where he led the team to six consecutive regular-season titles and earned three CCS Coach of the Year awards.

His final season in 2026 was a masterpiece, finishing with a 21-5 record and a perfect 12-0 run in conference play. Beyond wins and titles, Placeres proved adept at developing talent, guiding nine players to professional careers.

At Tennessee Tech, Placeres will join the staff of new Golden Eagles head coach Tobin Anderson, bringing his proven track record of building winning cultures and developing athletes to the Ohio Valley Conference. This move marks a significant step up in competition and a new chapter for a coach who has clearly earned his shot at the Division I level.