Campus Life

Coach Stinnett and UWF Basketball are back

The arrival of the basketball season is always a good reason to celebrate, but this year, there is another reason to cheer at UWF - Bob Stinnett is the new head coach of the men's team.

The arrival of the basketball season is always a good reason to celebrate, but this year, there is another reason to cheer at UWF – Bob Stinnett is the new head coach of the men’s team.

Stinnett, a 1969 graduate, former basketball player at UWF and a member of the UWF Athletics Hall of Fame, returns to campus with a winning record of 297-98 (.752) in 18 seasons coaching at high school, junior college and college levels. He also arrives with momentum: At his last job, two years at Pensacola High School, Stinnett helped the Tigers build an impressive record of 54-15.

But will Stinnett, who was hired for his dream job in July, be able to continue his winning ways while at UWF? A few friends and followers believe the odds are in his favor.

“I think people are just generally excited that one of their own is taking the helm at UWF,” said Joe Ambersley, former athletic director at UWF and co-chair of the UWF Athletics Visioning Team. “He’s well known in the community, and he’s 100 percent dedicated to recruiting the best possible people possible and putting the best team on the floor.”

Jody Skelton, ’69, Stinnett’s old roommate and teammate. “Bob always builds a good rapport with his players. He did that when he was younger and he still does that.”

Although Stinnett got a late start in preparing for the upcoming season which starts Nov. 16, Skelton is confident UWF will have a competitive team this year.

“No one will out work Bob, no one will spend more hours getting those kids ready to play,” said Skelton. “He coaches as hard as he has them play and is very passionate about the game,” said Skelton. “He’s coming in late to the season but I watched them practice last week, and I was impressed with the talent level. I saw that they realize Bob is passionate for the game and there are no shortcuts. He’s working them very hard.I heard one say that he had never had a preseason workout as tough, but Bob stresses that they must work hard. Conditioning wins games.” Basketball fans in the community are also optimistic about UWF basketball.”I am confident that he will put the UWF men’s basketball program on the national map,” said Pensacola attorney Samuel Bearman, who has also known Stinnett for many years. “This year is certainly a transitional year, but I think he will begin to get the community excited about UWF basketball and I expect even better things next year.”

From his office at the Field House this week, Stinnett said all of his experiences both on and off the court have trained him for his moment. “My whole life has come full circle,” he said.

The men will host their first regular season game against Columbus State at home on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. The first Gulf South Conference game is Jan. 7.

For more information or to view schedules, visit GoArgos.com.

Written by Susie Forrester, University Marketing Communications