Arkansas State hires Alabama assistant Bryan Hodgson as head coach
Alabama assistant and ace recruiter Bryan Hodgson has been hired as the new head coach at Arkansas State. Hodgson is a New York-native who has been working under Nate Oats for the the last eight years, four each at Buffalo and in Tuscaloosa.
“Following a national search, which attracted many highly-qualified candidates across the country, we are excited to announce Bryan Hodgson as our head men’s basketball coach,” AD Jeff Purinton said in a statement. “He possesses well-rounded experience with a successful coaching and recruiting background. Bryan has also been very involved with all operational aspects of collegiate programs while working his way from a junior college coach to the highest level of Division I. I had the opportunity to work with him at Alabama and get to know him as a coach and person. He is a strong communicator who cares deeply about his student-athletes and puts them in the best position to succeed on the court and in the classroom.”
Hodgson has been part of two SEC titles, two MAC titles and six NCAA Tournaments as an assistant coach, including the #1 overall seed Tide this season. He’s considered one of the better recruiters in the SEC, playing a key role in getting a number of high-level recruits to Tuscaloosa over the past four years. Alabama’s 2022 recruiting class, highlighted by five-star prospects Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley, was ranked in the top 5 nationally and their previous classes were all ranked top 15.
“I am both thrilled and honored to be the head men’s basketball coach at Arkansas State,” Hodgson said. “I’m looking forward to working with the outstanding administration, coaches and student-athletes at Arkansas State, as well as being very involved in the Jonesboro community. Along with my staff and our players, we will work tirelessly to build the success, profile and brand of A-State Basketball.”
Alabama has now lost two assistants to the Sun Belt, with Charlie Henry also leaving for the Georgia Southern job earlier this month.
credit to Arkansas State Athletics for the image
