FORT SMITH – UAFS men’s basketball coach Josh Newman has announced the recently hiring of AJ Holland as assistant coach.
Holland, a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., fills the vacancy created on Newman’s staff when former assistant coach Brandon Chappell left this past month to become assistant coach at his alma mater – NCAA Division I Lamar University.
“We are excited to add AJ to the UAFS family. I’ve known AJ and his father for over a decade. His playing experience as well as his upbringing – he’s the son of a college basketball coach – gives him an excellent background to be a successful coach,” Newman said. “AJ has a tremendous amount of experience when it comes to player development, and we look forward to seeing him make a difference with our team.”
Holland has deep family roots in basketball. His father, James, is an assistant basketball coach at NCAA Division I Western Michigan and his younger brother, Kevin, currently plays for former UAFS men’s basketball coach Doc Sadler at NCAA Division I Southern Mississippi University.
“I grew up around basketball as a player. My dad was at the University of Georgia and Alabama and all over the SEC in different spots. I was able to see the high level of talent as a young age and see how much work they put in as players away from the court as well as on the court,” Holland said. “Coaching-wise, I know I can always pick up the phone and call my dad. He has lots of connections with other coaches across the country who are willing to help me out with whatever I need. That’s made my transition from player to coach pretty smooth.”
A graduate of Paul W. Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Holland played his freshman season at Rice University, where he averaged two points and one rebound per game while playing in 26 games and averaging 12.1 minutes per tame.
As a sophomore, he played for College of Central Florida, where he averaged 5.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.96 rebounds per game while playing in 28 games.
Holland played his final two collegiate seasons at NCAA Division II University of Sioux Falls. He averaged 6.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game as a junior, playing in 28 games and averaging 27 minutes per game. As a senior, he averaged 10.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, one steal and 2.3 assists per game while playing 27 games and averaging 28 minutes per game.
Prior to joining Newman’s staff, the 26-year-old Holland worked for Elite Hoops Basketball, where he helped direct Nike Basketball Camps and offered individualized training to athletes in the Atlanta, Ga., metro area.
