David Saur, the reigning Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Coach of the year will enter his 2nd season as the head coach at Chatham University. Coming off an unprecedented start to his tenure, Saur’s first season saw his team make the biggest year to year jump in the standings of any team over the last decade in the PAC. The Cougars went from 9th place in 2017-2018 to a 4th place finish this past season, the highest finish in program history since joining the conference in 2007-2008. The team also set the program record for conference wins (8) along with nearly tripling the teams conference win total from last season. Coach Saur is the first Coach of the year in the sport of basketball in Chatham University history. Â
Saur came to Chatham after spending two seasons’ at Division I University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) of the Sun Belt Conference, as the Assistant Head Coach. During his time with the Warhawks as the program's recruiting coordinator, Saur signed one of the most productive players in program history, Arsula Clark. Clark (Douglasville, GA) went on to being named the Sun Belt Conference freshman of the year along with being named an all-conference selection her sophomore season. She currently holds multiple school records from her historic rookie season.
Saur, who has been the recruiting coordinator at every one of his coaching stops, came to the Bayou State after a one-year stint at Division I UMass Lowell.
While with the River Hawks, he mentored Lindsey Doucette and Kayla Gibbs to the best years of their collegiate tenures. Doucette for the first time in her career earned All-America East honors in 2016 and signed a professional contract in the top league in Switzerland. As the teams recruiting coordinator Saur secured the commitment of a standout guard hailing from the state of Virginia. Freshman guard Megan Hendrick became a post season America East all-freshman team member in 2016.
Saur was previously at Division I Stetson University, where he helped lead the program to the WNIT each of his two seasons (2013-15), while earning the programs first win over a power-5 opponent in the post season. The Hatters beat the University of Miami (ACC) on their home floor. After his second season on staff Saur was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Assistant Coach of the Year by FGBScouting.com, as well as one of the nation's top mid-major assistants. Saur's two years on the staff saw the Hatters produce their winningest two year stretch with 50 wins and 27 overall, 16 league wins also both program records.
In two seasons as the teams recruiting coordinator Saur produced 3 all-freshman team members including Sarah Sagerer in 2015, A-SUN freshman of the year McKenna Beach and the second leading vote getter Myka Johnson-Matthews in 2016. In addition to freshman success Saur saw two recruits with the Hatters go on to successful pro careers with Alex Ciabattoni (Australia-WNBL) and Abigail Asoro (England-WBBL) earn rookie of the year in each of their respective countries top professional league. All-Star Girl's Report once ranked his recruiting class No. 1 in the A-Sun and No. 69 in the nation.
Saur also worked during the 2012-13 season at Division II Indiana University (Pa.), where the nationally-ranked team finished 23-9 and reached the NCAA Tournament. He fulfilled his duties as the recruiting coordinator and post players' coach, where he developed Lindsay Stamp and Sarah Pastorek into All-American status.
Saur also served on the staff at Division II California University (Pa.) (2011-2012) as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. As the recruiting coordinator, he secured a commitment from 3 players who went on to be starters for their 2014 NCAA D2 National Championship team. As well as a Division I transfer. As the guards coach, he mentored first-team all-conference selections Danielle Luckett and Amy Johns.
Saur started his career at fellow PAC member Thiel College (Pa.) with both the men's and women's programs (2008-2011). While with the men's program in 2010-2011 they recorded a school-record 20 wins and went undefeated in conference play for the first time ever along with having the conference player of the year, coach of the year and two first team all-conference players. Â
Saur has helped prep many current professional basketball players through skill development workouts in his hometown of Baltimore, MD. Instructing the likes of current Sacramento King Rudy Gay, former Memphis Grizzly Donte Greene, former Indiana Pacer Sam Young, former Detroit Pistons' Kim English and Dajuan Summers.
Saur earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Thiel (Pa.) in 2011 and his Master's in Sport Management from Cal (Pa.) in 2012.
Coach Saur and his wife Lydia, reside in Greentree, PA, with their 4 year old huskie Piper.
