Bob Jones University Bruins Athletic Director Dr. Neal Ring announced today the hiring of Burton Uwarow as head coach for the men’s basketball program.
“Burton brings a wealth of coaching talent along with a genuine desire to live for Christ each day and lead his players to do the same,” Ring said. “The common themes as I spoke with those who know him well were that he was a man of deep spirituality and integrity and the best coach they had seen. He and Laura have a traceable history of impacting lives and using the platform of sport for ministry. It is great to bring back one of our own who has been faithfully honing his craft and allowing God to prepare him to lead our men’s basketball program into the future.”
Uwarow currently serves as middle school principal, teacher, and head basketball coach at Creekside Christian Academy in McDonough, Georgia. In his seven seasons, he has turned the program into a state contender as the Cougars have won three of the last four Division I-AA State Championships. Previously, he served in head coaching positions for public and private schools in South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia. He has seen great success on the court and in his teaching career over the past eighteen years.
“Coach Uwarow is an excellent choice,” friend and fellow coach Joe Wootten said. Wootten is the son of legendary coach Morgan Wootten and a member of the McDonald’s All-American game selection committee. “What separates him is his ability to communicate and connect with his players and his teams. He will develop them as people as well as players and they will appreciate his care and concern for them.”
Several players under Coach Uwarow have gone on to play at NCAA, NAIA and NCCAA basketball programs while some have even reached professional levels while playing overseas. Coach Uwarow has attended various elite coaching clinics around the country and is well-connected with some of the best minds in the game.
He graduated from Bob Jones University in 1998 with a degree in Health and Fitness and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Science from the United States Sports Academy.
“I would first like to thank Neal Ring, Andrew Wingreen, and Tony Miller for the fantastic job they’ve done with the basketball program,” Uwarow said. “I consider those coaches as friends and feel honored to follow in their footsteps.”
The BJU Bruins men’s basketball team finished the 2016-17 season with a 16-19 record, but the team finished the year strong as they captured their first National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) DII South Region Championship before finishing 5th at the national tournament. The Bruins are members of the NCCAA and compete in Division II.
“I am really excited to be coming home,” Uwarow said. “I would not be who I am or where I am today without the discipline and guidance I received as a student at BJU. Most coaches’ dream job is at a place like Duke or North Carolina. For me, this is my dream job. God has directed my steps here and I look forward to what God is going to do through this basketball program in the coming years.”
Story Courtesy: Jonny Gamet
