John Shulman announced as new head men’s basketball coach at Central Arkansas

John Shulman has been hired as the new head coach at Central Arkansas, the school announced on Monday morning. Shulman has been the head coach at D-II Alabama Huntsville for the past five years and before that he coached D-I Chattanooga from 2004-13.

“We were very fortunate to have a strong interest in our men’s basketball position,” said AD Dr. Brad Teague. “We interviewed and vetted many candidates. John Shulman rose to the top due to his many years of head coaching experience at the Division I and Division II levels, coupled with his infectious energy and enthusiasm. I have no doubt that Bear Nation will love and embrace Coach Shulman and his family. We are excited to welcome John and his wife Amy to Conway and campus. Their three sons will be a big part of their program as well. I am very happy they are coming to Central Arkansas to lead our men’s basketball program.”

Shulman is 257-185 overall in fourteen seasons as a collegiate head coach, including an impressive 112-39 record at UAH. He led the Chargers to 20+ wins every season except the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign (15-4) and went to the D-II NCAA Tournament every season. He has D-I NCAA Tournament experience, as well, taking the Mocs there in both 2005 and 2009 by way of SoCon Tournament titles.

“I couldn’t be more excited and honored to become the men’s basketball coach at UCA,” Shulman said. “From the first interaction that I had with Dr. Teague and (associate AD) Matt Whiting, it just felt right. We were so impressed with the facilities, the campus, the city, but it was the people that sold the Shulman family on UCA. Everything is about the right fit and it fits us perfectly. We are so excited to hit the ground running and bring a fun and winning style to Conway. I promise that we will work tirelessly to bring a winning tradition to UCA on the basketball court. I am so proud to be part of the university and will lean on the other coaches to learn the UCA way as their success on and off the court and field are very impressive.”

Central Arkansas let go former head coach Anthony Boone earlier this month after five seasons at the helm. The Bears have never been to the NCAA Tournament or NIT, with the program’s only D-I postseason appearance being the 2018 CBI.

credit to Central Arkansas Athletics for the image