'A dream come true': Former Tennessee Tech QB Tre Lamb is new Gardner-Webb head coach

Record-setting Tennessee Tech quarterback Tre Lamb was named as head coach at Gardner-Webb University on Saturday.

Lamb, who spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Tennessee Tech, replaced Carroll McCray, who posted a 27-52 record in seven years at Gardner-Webb. The Runnin' Bulldogs were 3-9 this season.

Lamb, 29, will officially be introduced Monday at a 1:30 p.m. news conference.

"This is a dream come true for me," Lamb said in a release. "Gardner-Webb is a program with great potential. Our approach on the field will be innovative and fun. We will recruit young men who will represent this school and community with class and integrity."

Lamb helped Tech make one of the biggest turnarounds this season in the FCS. After winning just one game in each of the previous two seasons the Golden Eagles went 6-6 this year.

Under Lamb the offense scored more than 30 points in five games this season and finished second in the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring (29.0 points) and fifth in total offense (380.1 yards).

Quarterback Bailey Fisher broke six Tech records on his way to being named All-OVC second team.

Before his return to Tech, Lamb spent four years as the quarterbacks coach on his uncle Bobby Lamb's staff at Mercer University. 

As a player (2009-12), Lamb had 5,301 career passing yards, which is third in Tech's history. He passed for a school-record 481 yards in a game against Southeast Missouri as a senior.

Lamb led the Golden Eagles to the OVC championship in 2011, the program's first since 1975, and a spot in the FCS playoffs for the first time.

"We are thrilled to have Tre Lamb agree to lead our football program," Gardner-Webb president William Downs said in a release. "He quickly rose to the top of a large and distinguished list of interested coaches with his bold vision, his unmatched energy and his confident commitment to winning championships at GWU."

Lamb's father Hal recently retired after a legendary career and three state titles at Calhoun High School in Georgia. 

His grandfather, Ray, won three state championships during a career that included head coaching stops at Warren County, Commerce and Monroe Area in Georgia.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.