J.A. Anglin has been named the head coach of the Centenary men’s basketball program, Director of Athletics and Recreation David Orr announced on Monday.
Anglin, a Shreveport native, replaces Chris Dorsey, who led the Gents for the last eight seasons. Anglin becomes the 23rd head coach in the rich history of the program and comes to Centenary from Bossier Parish Community College where he had an extremely successful five seasons with the Cavaliers.
“I am honored to be named the new head basketball coach at Centenary College,” said Anglin. As a native of Shreveport, I deeply understand and appreciate the proud history and high standards of Centenary basketball.”
“Throughout this process, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many passionate fans, dedicated supporters, engaged faculty, and proud alumni who are all excited about the future of the College and its basketball program. There’s a strong sense of momentum at Centenary right now, and it quickly became clear to me that this is where I want to be.”
“My family and I are excited to reconnect with familiar faces and build new relationships that will last a lifetime.”
“Coach Anglin has a strong connection to NW Louisiana and has displayed a desire to win at Centenary College,” said Orr.
“J.A. will bring experience and enthusiasm to Gents basketball and the Athletic Department. Our vision for Centenary Gents Basketball and Centenary Athletics aligns very well. I am excited to work with him as he hits the ground running.”
Anglin, who won 67 in his five seasons at BPCC, was named the Interim coach for the Cavaliers in March 2020 and on March 30, 2021 his interim tag was removed and he became the sixth head coach in program history. He joined the Cavaliers after spending the 2019-20 season as the Director of Basketball Operations at the University of New Orleans. Anglin is third all-time in BPCC program history in wins.
In his five seasons at BPCC, Anglin had five student-athletes earn NJCAA All-Academic team honors and the Cavaliers have also received the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award in three consecutive seasons (2023, 2024, 2025).
In the 2019-20 season, Anglin worked under the University of New Orleans’ winningest coach, Mark Slessinger. The Privateers saw Bryson Robinson cap off his career as the programs single-season leader in three-pointers made. Robinson was named All-Southland Conference while finishing third in the league in scoring.
Prior to UNO, Anglin served as the Associate Head Coach at LSU Shreveport under Kyle Blankenship. The Pilots went 23-11 in Anglin’s first season with a win in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament. At LSUS, Anglin worked primarily with the post players, including All-American Rakim Lubin and NAIA National Player-of-the-Year Jeff Garrett. While at LSUS, Anglin put together a recruiting class which included two All-Americans, Tra Knight and Jeff Boyd. Knight was also named the Red River Athletic Conference Player-of-the-Year.
Anglin began his coaching career in 2011 under Louisiana Basketball Hall of Fame coach Tim Floyd at the University of Texas El Paso. He spent four seasons (2011-13, 2016-18) at UTEP in a variety of different roles. During his time at UTEP, Julian Washburn, Dominic Artis, and Omega Harris earned All-Conference USA selections.
Anglin moved on to the University of Louisiana Monroe in 2013 and served as an assistant coach under Keith Richard. Anglin spent three seasons (2013-16) at ULM, assisting the Warhawks to 44 victories in his final two seasons. ULM advanced to the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) finals in 2015, followed by a College Insider.com Tournament (CIT) bid in 2016. ULM registered back-to-back seasons with 20-plus wins for the first time since 1991 and for only the third time in program history.
The 2015-16 Warhawks were undefeated at home (13-0) and finished 15-5 in the Sun Belt Conference, moving to the championship game of the league tournament for the first time in school history. Majok Deng (1st team) and Justin Roberson (2nd team) garnered All-Conference honors. Roberson was chosen the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year.
Three Warhawks garnered All-Conference honors over Anglin’s three seasons, including Tylor Ongwae (2014, 2015). Anglin also served as the Warhawks’ academic liaison. Under his leadership in this capacity, all 15 seniors graduated. The men’s basketball team achieved three perfect 1000 APR scores and earned three consecutive Sun Belt Conference Team Academic Awards.
Early in 2016, Anglin became one of 30 assistant coaches in the nation on the Under Armour 30-Under-30 Team. The team is composed of the nation’s brightest assistant coaches under the age of 30.
Anglin played two seasons for coach Mike McConathy at Northwestern State University (2005-08) and two at LSU Shreveport for coach Chad McDowell (2008-10). During his playing career, he earned a combined 91 victories and three conference titles. Anglin was on the 2005-06 Northwestern State team that upset third-seeded Iowa in the NCAA Tournament.
Anglin will look to continue the Gents’ recent success as Centenary has recorded winning seasons in seven of its last eight seasons highlighted by a pair of conference titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances. The Gents have made three trips to the SCAC championship game along with five semifinal appearances in the last decade, as they have established themselves as one of the SCAC’s top programs.
Anglin also aims to continue the home court success that the Gents have enjoyed in recent seasons as the Maroon and White are 63-29 in the Gold Dome over the last eight seasons and 80-39 in the last decade.
The Gents, who are set to open the season on Friday, Nov. 7 against host Berry College in the Berry College Tournament in Mount Berry, Ga., are scheduled to play 25 regular season games and one exhibition contest. Centenary’s first home game is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 14 against East Texas Baptist University and the Gents’ first Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference contest is Dec. 2 at LeTourneau University.
Anglin received his bachelor’s degree in history from LSUS in 2010 and a masters of exercise science from ULM in 2016. He is married to the former Susan Swearingen of Shreveport, and the couple have one child, Edie.
https://www.gocentenary.com/sports/mbkb/2025-26/releases/2025071426fkls
