OKLAHOMA CITY ? Mid-America Christian University (MACU) has announced that Josh Gamblin will be the new Head Coach of the Men's Basketball program, replacing Willie Holley who stepped down after 42 years at the helm.
"After an extensive search and application process it was clear that Josh Gamblin was the perfect match," Craig Ruiz, MACU Athletic Director said. "Coach Gamblin brings exemplary character, a love for the game and far more importantly, an abundant love for the Lord. This position not only serves as an ambassador for our university, but also works with our athletes whom are at an impressionable stage in their lives. We are blessed to have Josh, his wife Jennifer and their son Miles as the latest additions to our MACU family."??
Gamblin's most recent coaching role was at 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 worked with coaches on opponent scouting reports and recently, they celebrated collaborative hard work as their team advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
"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.
"Josh is one of the best up and coming coaches around," Wooldridge said. "His feel for the game and passion for helping players realize their potential is unmatched. The tradition that has been built over the years at MACU is in good hands with Coach Gamblin."
During the 2011-12 basketball season, Gamblin worked in the NBA as the Intern Video Coordinator for the Los Angeles Clippers under 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.
Griffin sent congratulations to Gamblin in response to his?new coaching position, "I know you're going to do great. I'm proud of you; always here for you. Everybody is lucky to have you there."
Gamblin also receives strong praise from Sam Goldfeder, the Senior Vice President for Basketball of Excel Sports Management. "I have seen first-hand the work he put in with Blake Griffin pre-draft as well as post-draft," Goldfeder said. "He helped Blake tremendously. His knowledge of the game, and particularly his ability to teach it, is far greater than his age would indicate."
"I am beyond excited for the opportunity to become the next head men's basketball coach at MACU," Gamblin said. "It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of not only a great coach, but a great man in Willie Holley. To be able to use the game of basketball as a tool to lead young men to Christ is an opportunity of a lifetime. I'm thankful to MACU President John Fozard, Athletic Director Craig Ruiz, Chief Administration Officer Owen?Sevier, and others for believing so strongly in me and I look forward to getting things started."?
Coach Gamblin will be inheriting a program coming off a 25-11 season that captured its first-ever Sooner Athletic Conference regular season championship and advanced to the quarterfinal round in its debut appearance in the NAIA National Championship Tournament.
Josh 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 and is currently enrolled in the IAA Master's program at the University of Oklahoma.??
