Following 16 years as the University of North Georgia’s head men’s basketball coach, Chris Faulkner transitioned into the role of Athletics Development Officer in spring of 2019.
As the athletics development officer, Faulkner is responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting donors and prospective donors for charitable financial support of Nighthawk athletics through gifts (major, capital and planned), grants and corporate sponsorships.
He works on behalf of the 225+ student-athletes on 13 sports as part of the University Advancement team to promote the goals of the university, and in partnership with the athletics department to influence programs and projects to maximize private financial support.
Faulkner also provides oversight of the daily operations of the Nighthawks Athletic Club, the annual giving fundraising arm of UNG athletics.
Faulkner led the UNG men's basketball program for 16 seasons and guided the Nighthawks to seven conference tournaments, including berths in the semifinals of the 2007-08 and 2012-13 Peach Belt Conference basketball tournaments. He was named the co-PBC Coach of the Year after the 2016-17 season where he led his squad to the West Division championship.
He mentored the men's basketball program since 2003 and was the program's first head coach during the NCAA era. His is second behind Bill Ensley on the program's all-time wins list with 215.
Faulkner is a 1993 graduate of North Georgia College where he received his Bachelor of Science in physical education and a Master of Education in 1995. He played four years of collegiate basketball at North Georgia (1989-1993) and served as the team captain during the 1992-93 season. He also participated in international summer play in Costa Rica and Spain and was a recipient of the Will D. Young Scholarship.
After finishing his playing career at North Georgia, he assumed the role of assistant coach in 1993, a role he held for four seasons under former head coach and Athletic Director Randy Dunn. In 1996, Faulkner helped Dunn lead the team to the Conference championship and the program’s third appearance at the NAIA National Tournament.
Faulkner and his wife, Daphney, reside in Dahlonega with their two sons, Gus and Cal.
