CULLOWHEE, N.C. — Brigham Waginger has found a new home.

After an outstanding four-year career with the Western Carolina Catamounts, Waginger worked last season as the director of basketball operations.

On Friday Waginger earned additional time with the program when men’s head basketball coach Larry Hunter promoted the former WCU point guard to a full-time position as assistant coach. Waginger fills the void left by Andre Gray who took a similar position at UNC-Wilimington.

“It is with great pleasure to be able to elevate Brigham Waginger to full-time position on our basketball staff,” said Hunter, who will begin his seventh season at the WCU helm.

“Brigham is a talented young coach who has a relentless work ethic and passion for the game. His personality, tenacity, people skills, loyalty and love for both our program and Western Carolina will enable him to be a tremendous representative and salesman for our program.”

Waginger was a three-year starter for the Ironton Fighting Tigers and was named All-Ohio as a junior when Ironton went 26-1 and finished as the Division III state runners-up.

He played at South Webster his senior season and helped lead the Jeeps to the Division IV state championship.

Waginger started as a freshman and finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in steals with 285 as he surpassed WCU Hall of Famer Henry Logan by 64 thefts.

Waginger also holds the single-season steals record with 90. His 165 total 3-pointers ranks sixth on the Catamounts’ all-time record and his 398 assists finished ninth on the WCU list. He scored 810 career points, reaching double figures 27 times.

He was the 2009-10 Southern Conference co-Defensive Player of the Year, third team all-conference and was named to the 2010 CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Defensive All-American team.

“Brigham has a terrific understanding of our system and has gained valuable experience working in the office assisting our staff in all phases of our operation last season,” said Hunter.

“His high character and man accomplishments at Western Carolina both as a student and former athlete have allowed him to gain the respect of our players.”

Waginger becomes one of three assistants along with Anquell McCollum and Eric Wilson. All are former WCU graduates.