Men's basketball coach Andy Newman has announced his resignation after five seasons at the helm at UT Permian Basin to accept the head coach position at California State University– San Bernardino.

"This is the hardest decision I've had to make in my professional career," said Newman. The people at UTPB are really special. I've had an incredible time working with Dr. Woodley and Scott Farmer. They're two of the best in the business. There are so many great memories, between the run we made this year in the NCAA Tournament and making the Sweet 16, last year winning the Lone Star Conference. But my favorite memory I'll take away is our banquet from this past year. Seeing all the faces of the people that have come behind the program, our players, my family, and watching the support of this community grow to the level it has. There are no words to express how much I'm going to miss all of the people here."

The Falcons were 101-50 all-time under Newman and a combined 60-34 in conference play between three years in the Heartland Conference and two seasons as members of the Lone Conference. UTPB had five straight winning seasons and never had a conference record under .500 during that time.

"Andy is first and foremost a wonderful person who also happens to be a special talent," said UT Permian Basin President Sandra Woodley. "His value truly extends well beyond the basketball court.  We were lucky to have him while we did, and with deepest respect and affection, we celebrate his success at UT Permian Basin.  Our very best wishes for his future success and happiness."

 The last two years provided the most successful pair of seasons in school history. The 2016-17 Falcons went 26-6 (14-4) and won the Lone Star Conference Regular Season Championship and Tournament Championship to earn its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance while Newman was also named the Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year. This past season's team finished 26-6 (14-4), was nationally-ranked the entire season, and won its first two games in program history in the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Sweet 16.

"We'd like to thank Andy for the incredible job he's done at UT Permian Basin," said Director of Athletics Scott Farmer. "He came in five years ago and turned a struggling program into one of the most exciting in the nation and had them competing on a national level. We wish Andy and his family nothing but the best moving forward."

UT Permian Basin re-wrote the record books under Newman. Daeshon Francis became the team's first-ever All-American this past season and was the Lone Star Conference Player of the Year and South Central Region Player of the year in both 2017 and 2018. Francis is the program's leading scorer in a single game (43), season (722), and all time (1,303) at UTPB. Sammy Allen is the all-time rebounding (727) and assist (233) leader, and James McPherson set season (108) and career (210) records in 3-point shooting at UTPB.

Under his fast-paced offensive style of play, the Falcons led the Lone Star Conference in scoring in 2016, averaging 88.3 points per game, and ranked second in the league this past season. The Falcons scored a team-record 130 points in a 4-OT victory against Regis in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Sweet 16. UT Permian Basin was the top rebounding team in the Lone Star Conference in each of the last two seasons and led the nation in rebounding margin in 2016-17.

A national search for the next UT Permian Basin men's basketball coach will begin immediately.