The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has named a new head coach for its football team.
Charles ‘Doc’ Gamble will be taking over as the 21st head coach for the Golden Lions football program. He is taking over the position after having joined the program in 2018 as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach.
“It’s an honor to be named head football coach at Arkansas At Pine Bluff,” Gamble said in a statement. “I’m appreciative and thankful to the university administration for this opportunity. In coming here with (former UAPB head coach) Cedric Thomas two years ago, we felt as a staff we could rebuild the program, and due to the hard work and dedication of the players, a great foundation has been laid. Our staff will remain diligent in our effort to put our players in the best position for success in the classroom and in competition to have a team and program that Golden Lion Nation will continue to be proud of.”
Under Gamble’s leadership, the Golden Lions were ranked second in passing yards in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Gamble used a two-quarterback system with Shannon Patrick passing for 2,250 yards and 19 touchdowns and Skyler Perry passing for 784 yards and eight touchdowns (in addition to yardage from Taylor Holston) for a total of 3,105 yards.
The team posted a 6-5 record in 2019 – its first winning record since 2012.
Before joining UAPB in 2018, he coached for five seasons at Kent State University, serving as a wide receivers coach. He previously served as a running backs and tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Alcorn State University, as well as an offensive assistant at the University of Cincinnati.
“We are excited to officially name Doc Gamble as our head football coach,” UAPB Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics Chris Peterson said. “He has played an integral role in the growth and improvement of our program in recent years and it was important for us to keep that momentum going. Doc is ready for this next step in his career, and we are confident he will continue the ascension of our program to become a consistent SWAC contender.”
Gamble graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health with a concentration in sports management.
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