After three seasons in charge of UT Permian Basin Men's Basketball and three consecutive Lone Star Conference postseason appearances, Head Coach Josh Newman has announced his resignation from the program.  Newman will be taking over as the top assistant coach at a mid-major program at the Division I level.
 
Under Newman the Falcons developed one of the best and most exciting offenses in Division II basketball, averaging 81.9 points per game in his time on the bench.  Newman also started the Toy Toss Game, which provided thousands of toys during the holiday season to children in need across the Permian Basin.  He also established the Education Game in Midland, allowing grade school children the opportunity to watch the Falcons in person.
 
In his first season, featuring a roster with no returners from the year prior, the Falcons led the LSC averaging 85.3 points per game and started the season 8-1.  Jacob Ledoux had a record setting year for the Falcons, becoming the fourth player in program history to score 500 points in a single season, was named LSC Newcomer of the Year, and was named to the D2CCA All-Region Second Team.  The Falcons led the conference in a number of offensive categories in 2018-19, leading the league in field goal percentage (49.4), three-point field goal percentage (38.0), and defensive rebounds per game (28.3).
 
The next season Newman and the Falcons went 13-4 at home and maintained a spot towards the top of the LSC in several offensive categories.  The Falcons finished the season second in the conference in scoring, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage.  Senior Pat Dembley put together one of the greatest single season performances in program history.  He scored the second most points in a season (702) and set new single season program records for assists (157) and steals (71).
 
The Falcons battled injuries in 2020-21 and faced one of the most difficult schedules in the nation, playing 10 straight games against teams ranked or receiving votes.  The Falcons started hot, matching the best six-game start in program history at 6-0.  Despite having to change the rotation due to injuries, the Falcons pulled off two of the biggest wins of the Newman era.  It started on the road at No. 11 St. Edward's where the Falcon defense suffocated the Hilltoppers to pull off the 75-65 upset.  The next game, the Falcons upset No. 11 Dallas Baptist 99-97 in overtime at home.  Jordan Horn scored 15 of the team's final 17 points in regulation before hitting the game-winning three in overtime. In the LSC playoffs the Falcons held eventual national runner-up West Texas A&M to their second lowest scoring night of the season, keeping the usually potent offense to just 72 points.  After the season, Jordan Horn and Trevion Lamar were selected to the LSC All-Conference Second Team.
 
"Thanks to Josh for everything he's done for the program," said Director of Athletics Todd Dooley.  "He has been a visibly active member of the Permian Basin community since his arrival.  Josh leaves a positive legacy and a terrific foundation for UTPB Men's Basketball.  All the best to Josh and his family as they begin their new adventure."
 
Prior to coming to UTPB, Newman spent 12 seasons at the helm of Arkansas – Fort Smith.  After transitioning from a junior college program, he helped guide UAFS to a 168-96 record as an NCAA Division II program over nine seasons. During that time, the Lions won five Heartland Conference Championships, one Heartland Conference Tournament Championship, and made four trips to the NCAA Tournament over five seasons.  Between UTPB and UAFS, Newman has made 14 consecutive postseasons, won six regular season conference championships, made the NCAA Tournament four times, and holds a record of 277-63 as a head coach.
 
The Falcons plan to announce a new head coach in the near future.  Download the UTPB Athletics App for the latest updates and schedules from your favorite Falcon teams.