Mid-America Christian University

Josh Gamblin is making his way into his 11th season as the Head Coach of the MACU men's basketball program in 2024-25. With a career record of 206-107, Gamblin has established a legacy as one of the top coaches in the NAIA.

In his first season at the helm of the MACU men’s basketball program, Gamblin made a historic, immediate impact, guiding the Evangels to their first-ever NAIA National Championship. MACU capped off the memorable title run with a thrilling 100-99 overtime victory over then No. 1-ranked Georgetown (Ky.). In the process, Gamblin became the youngest coach (27-years old) in college basketball history to win a national championship at a four-year institution.

Following the championship triumph, Gamblin was named the 2015-16 Rawlings-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year. His character influence was also felt throughout the year, culminating with the program receiving the Dr. James Naismith-Emil S. Liston Sportsmanship Award at the conclusion of the NAIA National Tournament.

Gamblin led the Evangels back to the NAIA National Championship Tournament in 2019, leading MACU to an upset win over Tougaloo (Ala.) in the first round before dropping a nail-biter in the round of 16. During that stellar 2018-19 campaign, the Evangels wrapped up the year with a 21-13 overall record and earned their tourney bid after winning eight of their last nine games in the month of February before falling in the SAC Semifinal.

During the 2019-20 season, Gamblin pioneered one of the greatest teams to ever dawn the Red, Black and White. The Evangels closed out the year with its first 30-win season during the NAIA Era by going 30-2 and locking up the squad's first ever No. 1 seed in the NAIA Tournament. MACU also captured the program's second-ever Sooner Athletic Conference Championship by going 19-1 in league play.

The Evangels won an NAIA Era record 20 consecutive games to start off the season, capped off on a 98-70 victory over Science & Arts on Jan. 28. It was the longest win streak since the Evangels rattled off 19 in a row on its way to winning the 2004 NCCAA Division II National Championship. Gamblin's 100th win with the Evangels was a pivotal one, as MACU was able to defeat No. 10 John Brown 73-59 on Jan. 4 inside the Gaulke Activity Center. 

The 2019-20 season was statistically one of the greatest during the NAIA Era, as the team's 15.4 points-per-game scoring margin shattered the previous record of 7.0 (2018-19) while also setting program records for shooting percentage (50.6), three-point shooting percentage (40.2) and rebounding margin (5.7).

While the COVID-19 pandemic deeply impacted the 2020-21 season, Gamblin led the Evangels to a strong 12-5 overall record as the team earned its fourth straight bid to the NAIA National Championship Tournament. MACU earned the bid after a strong showing in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament, topping Texas Wesleyan 70-66 in the SAC Quarterfinals on Feb. 24 before stunning No. 8 and top-seeded Southwestern Assemblies of God 94-91 on Feb. 27, sending the program to just its second ever SAC Championship game.

In the 2020-21 NAIA National Championships, the Evangels advanced to the second round after topping Holy Cross (Ind.) 69-63 on Mar. 12 before putting up a tough fight against No. 1 seed and nationally second-ranked William Penn (Iowa) 85-75 on Mar. 13.

During the 2021-22 season, Gamblin led MACU to its fourth straight NAIA National Championship appearance, the only program in the Sooner Athletic Conference to currently earn four consecutive bids to the national tournament. The Evangels wrapped up the year with a 20-13 record, marking the sixth 20-plus win season in the last eight years. During the campaign, the Evangels tallied wins against three teams ranked in the NAIA Top 10, including a 78-72 win at No. 6 LSU-Shreveport on Nov. 1, a 92-84 overtime win at home against No. 8 Bethel (Kan.) on Nov. 6 and a 92-74 victory at No. 9 Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) on Feb. 7.

In 2022-23, the Evangels wrapped up the season with an 11-17 overall record and finished 8-14 against SAC competition. In a 107-98 victory over Kansas Christian at the PayCom Center on Oct. 27, Gamblin won his 150th game at Mid-America Christian.

MACU put together a resurgent year during the 2023-24 campaign as the Evangels wrapped up the season with a 24-9 overall record and finished second in the SAC with a 17-5 league mark. MACU also advanced to the SAC Championship after picking up a 79-56 win over Texas Wesleyan in the SAC Quarterfinal on Feb. 29 and a 78-62 victory over John Brown in the SAC Semifinal on Mar. 4 before falling to eventual NAIA National Runner-Up No. 2 Langston in the title tilt.

As a result, the Evangels ended up earning an automatic berth to the NAIA National Tournament for the seventh time in the last 10 years and sixth time in the last nine under Coach Gamblin, where MACU picked up a 68-67 victory over Hastings in the First Round on Mar. 15 before falling in the Second Round to No. 4 Oklahoma Wesleyan.

The Evangels once again put together an outstanding season during the 2024-25 campaign, wrapping up the year with a 22-9 overall record and finished in a tie for second in the SAC standings with a 17-7 league mark.

MACU put together some massive results over the course of the season, including back-to-back impressive outings with a 70-52 win over SAC Champion Nelson (Texas) on Jan. 18 and an 88-67 win over No. 8 Langston (Okla.) on Jan. 20.

As a result, the Evangels received an at-large berth to the NAIA National Tournament for the eighth time over the last 11 years, before ultimately getting eliminated in the First Round by eventual NAIA National Runner-Up No. 23 Oklahoma Wesleyan on 80-69 on Mar. 14.

Gamblin has twice spoken at Nike Championship Basketball Clinics. In the fall of 2016, Gamblin spoke at the clinic on the campus of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he presented the topic "Covering the Pick and Roll" to attendees. In the summer of 2017, Gamblin was again invited to speak at a Nike Camp as one of the presenters of "Quick Hitters," covering a variety of topics. At the camps, he was among some of the premier coaches and players from around the U.S., including coaches Lon Kruger and Sherri Coale from the University of Oklahoma and retired NBA center Swen Nater. 

Following the 2017-18 season, Gamblin was selected as one of the two coaches for the Oklahoma Prep Hoops All-Star Game, which was held at MACU. Gamblin coached Team Harrell to victory in the game, which featured some of the biggest stars in the 2018 Oklahoma High School senior class.

Gamblin was named Hoop Dirt NAIA Coach of the Week for week 14 of the 2017-18 season, and as of the end of the 2017-18 campaign, he is rated as the #6 Diamond in the Rough of Small College Coaching by coachstat.net. The list recognizes those "operating under the radar of the average basketball enthusiast, and some of those in the know" capable of success at the highest level.

Gamblin came to MACU from the University of Oklahoma, where he was a Graduate Assistant Coach under Head Coach Lon Kruger. There he assisted in all practices and logged scout games. Gamblin also worked with coaches on opponent scouting reports for a squad that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last season.

"We really appreciate all of Josh's assistance during his time with the Sooners and I know he'll do a fantastic job," Kruger said. "MACU is lucky to have him."

Prior to arriving at OU, Gamblin served two-years at Southwestern Christian University (SCU) as lead Assistant Coach on Head Coach Quinn Wooldridge's staff. Gamblin's duties at SCU involved recruiting, leading film sessions and analyzing opponent's scouting reports.

During the 2011-12 basketball season, Gamblin worked in the NBA as the Intern Video Coordinator for the Los Angeles Clippers under then-Head Coach Vinny Del Negro. Gamblin helped prepare pre-game scouting reports for the Clippers, as well as logging all opponent games and being involved in coaches meetings. His efforts with the Clippers led to the best winning percentage in team history.

"Josh has worked at the highest level and continually strives to learn and become a better coach each day," Del Negro said. "He is constantly working to improve his craft and striving for excellence is everything he does."

Off the court, Gamblin has served as Clippers' All-Star forward Blake Griffin's Summer Basketball Trainer for the past three seasons. Gamblin helped Griffin prepare for upcoming basketball seasons by working on a number of offensive and defensive drills—specifically pick and roll coverages, low post moves and ball handling drills.

Gamblin is also heavily involved with Team Griffin in the Elite Youth Basketball League. The summer league allows Gamblin the chance to work with some of the highest level prospects in the area, with players on his team who have committed to seven different NCAA Division I Institutions, including the University of Oklahoma and Southern Methodist University.

Gamblin's collegiate-athlete experience includes, but not limited to: competed at SCU on the Men's Basketball team from 2007-11; Varsity Captain (twice); named SCU Male Newcomer of the Year in 2008; and selected as Team MVP for the 2011 season. Additional honors include: Association of Christian College Athletics (ACCA) Honorable-Mention All-America honors in 2010; a Midlands Collegiate Athletic All-Conference selection in 2011; and named "Mr. Southwestern" in 2011, (awarded to the student who exemplifies the values, traditions and spirit of SCU).  After the 2011 season, Gamblin received the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete award.

He graduated from SCU in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Gamblin and his wife Jennifer live in Oklahoma City with their son Miles and their daughter Dahlia.