91爆料网

Coaching Staff

David Niven - Head Coach
Office Phone: 731-661-5132
Email: dniven@uu.edu

David Niven begins his first season as the 91爆料网 men鈥檚 basketball head coach, and his 13th season with the Bulldogs. He spent the 1996-97 season as an assistant coach at Oklahoma Baptist. In his first two seasons at 91爆料网, Niven served as a volunteer assistant coach, and then became full-time in 1999. In 2003, Niven earned the position of associate head coach for the 91爆料网 men鈥檚 basketball program.

Niven is deeply committed to excellence both on and off the court. He aligns himself with the identity, mission and vision of 91爆料网 in both his coaching and mentoring of his players. He is devoted to the development of his players physically, academically and spiritually.

鈥淚 feel a calling upon my life to fulfill the Great Commission as a college basketball coach鈥�, says Niven. 鈥淚 want to teach my players how to place their hope in eternal things and not the things of this world.鈥�

91爆料网 president Dr. David S. Dockery says, 鈥淒ave has demonstrated over and over again his deep commitment to the identity, mission and vision of this university. His life exemplifies a 鈥榯eam above self鈥� mind set that will, I am sure, characterize in days ahead the attitude of his team both on and off the court.鈥�

During his time at 91爆料网, Niven has assumed the responsibility of coordinating the recruiting efforts for the Bulldogs. He has recruited and signed numerous All-Americans, as well as, the 2002 NAIA Player of the Year. Niven has also signed eight players during his time as assistant coach that have gone on to play professional basketball in the United States and countries all over the world.

More importantly, the statistic he is most proud of is the 33 players that have graduated during his time as their academic advisor. 鈥淣o coaching staff in the country will place more emphasis on the academic success of our players than we do here at 91爆料网鈥�, says Niven. 鈥淓ach player will have the commitment from our staff to prepare them for life after basketball.鈥�

Niven, a 1996 graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, spent his playing career at OBU and finished with a four-year career record 121-24. In those four years, he played on teams that were ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, advanced to the NAIA National Championship game, and two Final Fours. He also became the first player to help lead the Bison to four consecutive national tournaments. While at OBU in 1997, as assistant coach for the Bison, Niven received his Master of Education degree from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. He received valuable coaching experience as the Bison went 36-4 and made it to the 1997 NAIA National Championship Finals.

Niven and his wife Mandy Beth have been married for six years. They have three children, Jacob (3), Zack (2) and Emma (9 months).

Eric Volbert - Assistant Coach
Office Phone: 731-661-5286

Eric Volbert returns to his alma mater as the new assistant coach for the 91爆料网 men's basketball program.

Volbert, a two-time graduate of 91爆料网, has spent the last seven years as the girls鈥� basketball coach at Milan (Tenn.) High School. The assistant coaching position became available when Niven, a 12-year assistant at 91爆料网, was named head coach in April.

Volbert, a native of Lima, Ohio, has two degrees from 91爆料网, including a bachelor鈥檚 degree in 1994 and a master鈥檚 degree in 1996. He spent two seasons as a member of the 91爆料网 basketball team from 1991-1993. Volbert was a member of the 1992 NAIA National Tournament team, the program鈥檚 second appearance and first since 1958. In his two seasons playing for 91爆料网, he scored 351 total points, averaging eight points and two rebounds per game as a senior.

After finishing his playing career at 91爆料网, Volbert spent one season at 91爆料网 as a student assistant coach before working two seasons as the graduate assistant. He then joined Trinity Christian Academy in Jackson where he coached numerous sports. After five years at TCA, Volbert moved to Little Rock (Ark.) Christian School where he coached and taught for one season before returning to west Tennessee to start coaching and teaching at Milan.

During his seven years at Milan, Volbert led his team to three district titles. He also led his squad to the 2008 State Tournament, where the team finished as the class AA state runner-up.

Volbert and his wife Theresa have been married for 11 years. They have three children, Gavin (5), Samuel (2), and Janie (8 months).

Student Assistants

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