LANCASTER, CA – DECEMBER 22, 2014 - – University of Antelope Valley Director of Athletics Jeff Bussell has announced the hiring of Brad Rogers as the first ever head men's basketball coach for UAV. Rogers comes to the Pioneers after spending the last three years working as an assistant men's basketball coach and assistant athletic director at Arizona Christian University.
"Brad's success in helping build ACU into a top NAIA program made him a fantastic fit to become the University of Antelope Valley's first ever head coach," said Jeff Bussell. "Coach Rogers has a strong record of success on the court, in the classroom and in the community. He brings great enthusiasm and commitment to developing his student-athletes into men of strong character. With three trips in the last five years to the NAIA National Tournament, Brad understands what it takes to compete on a national level and has a great vision for the UAV basketball program. We are very fortunate to have Brad and his wife Alyce join the UAV family and Antelope Valley community."
A native of Cameron Park, California, Rogers has been instrumental in helping the Firestorm build a nationally recognized program in the GSAC and the NAIA. In his first season and the programs first season in the highly competitive GSAC conference and NAIA DI, the Firestorm finished with 20 wins and reached the conference championship game, only to be outlasted by defending NAIA National Champion Concordia University 112-111 in 2OT's. ACU earned an at-large bid to the program's first ever NAIA DI National Tournament. The 2012-13 brought a number of accomplishments to the program. The Firestorm started the season with a 10-1 record. They beat defending NAIA National Champion Concordia University in their first ever GSAC conference game, and they earned their first ever NAIA DI National ranking (ranked as high as #19 in 2012-13).
The 2013-14 season would bring on more excitement, as ACU started their season with a win over NCAA DI Northern Arizona University (the program's first ever NCAA DI victory). ACU would start the season 14-1, on their way to a school record 23 wins and a back to back trip to the NAIA National Tournament. The Firestorm would knock off eight nationally ranked opponents (including at Vanguard University, who won the NAIA National Championship in 2013-14). ACU earned their highest ever ranking in NAIA DI with a #6 ranking the week of December 10th. The Firestorm have won 51 games while Coach Rogers has been an assistant. The accolades don't stop there as ACU recorded back to back 20+win seasons, defeated 13 ranked opponents in three years. Coach Rogers recruited and coached three GSAC All-Conference players and one NAIA All-American. ACU is currently ranked 19th in the country with an 8-3 record.
Prior to coaching at ACU, Rogers spent three seasons on staff at William Jessup University (CA). During his time as an assistant at William Jessup, Rogers helped guide the Warriors to their first ever California Pacific Conference Championship and a trip to the 2009-10 NAIA DII National Tournament. Coach Rogers was a part of 46 wins in his three seasons at WJU as they made at least the conference semi-finals in each of his three seasons. He was also instrumental in the development of the eight Cal-Pac All-Conference players, one Conference Newcomer of the Year, and the one Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Coach Rogers started his coaching career at Sierra Community College (CA) where he spent three seasons as an assistant coach. He helped guide the Wolverines to a Northern California playoff berth in 2006-07 and helped move numerous players to the D1, D2 and NAIA level. He was also responsible for recruiting the eight players who were named Big 8 All-Conference during his time there and he takes special pride in the fact that 98% of players in the program earned their AA degrees and transferred on to 4-year schools.
Coach Rogers is no stranger to the NAIA or to West Coast basketball as he played at San Diego Christian College from 2002-04 after transferring from Monterey Peninsula College. Brad was a team captain and a 2nd Team All-American for a team who won the 2003-04 NCCAA DI National Championship. Brad was the team's leading scorer (18ppg, 3rd in GSAC) and leading 3pt shooter in the GSAC Conference, making 125 3pt field goals while shooting at 44% during his senior year. Rogers made 214 3pt field goals during his 2-year GSAC career.
Coach Rogers stated: "I am thrilled and blessed to be a part of the excitement surrounding The University of Antelope Valley and to direct the men's basketball program in its inaugural season. I am thankful that Jeff Bussell and President Marco Johnson have given me a unique and challenging opportunity to build the foundation for a competitive and successful program in the Cal Pac and NAIA D2. While I leave behind a great coaching staff and team of players at Arizona Christian University, I fully embrace the opportunity to join UAV. My wife and I are excited about the move to the Lancaster area and I look forward to recruiting young men who are ready to work and earn a degree, eager to grow on and off the court, and committed to representing the university with excellence."
After completing his degree at San Diego Christian College (B.A., 2004), Rogers went on to pursue his Master's Degree in Physical Education (M.S., 2008) from Azusa Pacific University. With the inaugural season set to begin next fall, Coach Rogers will transition from Arizona to the Antelope Valley to begin his tenure at UAV in January.
The Pioneers are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and will enter the California Pacific Conference (CALPAC) for the 2015-16 season of play.
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