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Josh Newman enters his second year as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Newman guided the Lions to a 19-12 record in his first year after being hired in late July 2006.

Newman has an extensive coaching background at the Junior College and Division I levels. He has coached and recruited 37 former junior college players who have gone on to play at Division I programs over a five-year span. He has coached and helped develop seven players who have been drafted or played in the NBA.

Prior to being named the Head Coach at UAFS, he has spent three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Nevada, where his duties included coaching post players, assisting in scouting and recruiting, and serving as the academic liaison. The Wolfpack compiled a 77-22 win-loss record in those three seasons and appeared in three consecutive NCAA tournaments, including a trip to the Sweet 16.

Coach Newman began his coaching career as an assistant at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (then Westark College) during the 1998-1999 season, serving under current Nebraska coach Doc Sadler. He then moved on to McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas for two seasons(1999-2001), serving under current UALR coach Steve Shields. Newman was an assistant coach at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, for two seasons (2001-2003), where his duties included player recruitment, on-floor coaching, scouting, overseeing team travel and serving as academic coordinator. While at South Plains, Newman helped guide the Texans to consecutive Western Junior College Athletic Conference championships, consecutive Region V championships and consecutive national tournament appearances.

Coach Newman received a Bachelor's degree in history from Arizona State University, and his Master's degree in sports studies from Texas A&M-Commerce.

Coach Newman and his wife Rita have two children, Troy(14) and Alexis(9).

E-mail Coach Newman at jnewman@uafortsmith.edu