The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff head women’s basketball coach Dawn Brown has announced the hiring of assistant coaches Lauren Falohun, Nathaniel Bell, and graduate assistant Tifani Kerrison to the Lady Lions staff Friday afternoon.
“I am beyond thrilled to announce the new faces of my coaching staff,” said Brown. “Falohun, Bell, and Kerrison embody passion, energy, commitment, as well as a winning background, which is what we want to continue to build on here at UAPB. Since I’ve known Coach Falohun, her contributions in coaching, recruiting, and player development, as well as in the building cultures, have been immeasurable. She connects with young people and values strong relationships both on and off the court. She is a leader, and her level of passion and intensity is something you don’t see very often in young coaches. “Coco” developed and played for Legendary Coach Dawn Staley at South Carolina, and I am so excited to have her share some of those nuggets with our program.”
“Coach Bell work ethic is by far the best that I have ever been around. His integrity and loyalty are characteristics every head coach values. He is self-motivated and very hungry and when you have someone like that, within your program, you know your young women are getting the best of the best!”
“I had an opportunity to work with Tifani, while at JU and when I thought of ways to help continue to brand and promote this program, I knew there was only one person who could execute that vision. I am glad Tifani has joined my staff, and I look forward to helping her to continue to grow in our profession.”
Lauren “Coach Cocoa” Falohun arrives to Pine Bluff after a one year-stint as head coach at Southern Crescent Technical College. Falohun coming into the program with five years of coaching on the collegiate level as a Head Coach and Assistant Coach.
Falohun utilized her skills in player development and strength and conditioning to develop players at Southern Crescent Technical College, Fisk University, Lincoln University of PA, and Chowan University. Her leadership produced five All-Conference Performers and recognition from players, coaches, and parents.
Falohun also has five years of coaching on the AAU and High School levels. She began her coaching career in 2010 at her Alma Mater, Pace Academy in Atlanta, GA. At Pace Academy, Falohun was recognized as a standout player who was acknowledged for scoring over 1,000 points during her high school career. Her first-year coaching at Pace Academy was an instrumental piece in helping the team, which resulted in being the 2011 Georgia High School Basketball State Runner Ups.
Falohun has ten years’ experience as a Certified Strength and Sports Performance trainer, training athletes of various ages to professional athletes who play overseas. Falohun’s mantra has always been for athletes to feel her passion and enthusiasm for sports performance excellence. Her goal is to empower and build up athletes to perform at their highest level athletically while using those same tools to prepare them for life outside of sports.
A native of Atlanta, Ga, and four-year player and graduate at the University of South Carolina, Falohun played under the leadership of Hall of Fame player turned coach, Dawn Staley. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Entertainment Management in 2010.
Coach Nathaniel “Nate” Bell enters his first season at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff after being named Assistant Coach of the Lady Lions.
Before arriving at UAPB, he served as the Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma. During his two-year tenure at Connors State College, Coach Bell assisted in recruiting, fundraising, and organizing team basketball camps. Furthermore, he oversaw the team’s academics, which produced GPA’s of 3.0 and higher, having six team members recognized as NJCAA Academic All- Americans.
Coach Bell graduated from Texas Southern University in May 2018. During his last two years at TSU, Coach Bell assisted the Women’s Basketball team in the capacity of Team Manager, handling film exchange, and all managerial duties. In the 2016-2017 season, the TSU Lady Tigers won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship. They earned an invitation to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, the first in the program’s history.
After experiencing much success that season, Coach Bell was then promoted to Student Assistant. He was tasked with additional duties that included overseeing student managers, game film exchange, and assisting the Director of Basketball Operations on special projects and assignments.
Coach Bell is excited to join the UAPB family and eager to assist in taking the UAPB Lady Lions’ basketball program to the next level.
Tifani Kerrison is in her first season as a graduate assistant basketball coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Prior to joining the Lady Lions staff, she was the graduate assistant coach for two seasons at Jacksonville University.
Kerrison graduated from Lynn University with the class of 2016, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Kerrison is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Addiction Studies.
https://uapblionsroar.com/news/2020/9/25/womens-basketball-brown-announces-coaching-staff.aspx
