Northeastern State Names Fala Bullock Head Women’s Basketball Coach

Northeastern State will be welcoming home one of its own as its next head women’s basketball coach with Fala Bullock being named on Saturday by Director of Athletics and Chief Athletics Officer Tony Duckworth.

“I am thrilled that Fala Bullock will lead our program in a new era of RiverHawks Basketball,” said Duckworth.  “Fala embraces the challenges and responsibility of returning NSU women’s basketball to winning seasons.  She values athleticism, skill, toughness and quality young ladies in recruiting which will lay a foundation for an exciting future.  Her peers acknowledge her understanding of the game, strengths as a in-game coach and my personal film study of her team reflect their perspective and her philosophy of how she wants the game to be played.  Welcome home, Coach Bullock.”

Bullock replaces Randy Gipson who retired at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season after leading the NSU women’s basketball program for 18 years.

Bullock is no stranger to the NSU program, playing for Gipson for two seasons, and was a graduate assistant under Gipson from 2004 to 2006.  As student-athlete, Bullock played in 57 games and NSU went 36-19, winning the 2003 Lone Star Conference Tournament, and made the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth.   As a member of Gipson’s coaching staff, NSU reached the Sweet 16 in 2004, and qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2005 and 2006.

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected to lead the women’s basketball program and make my return home to my alma mater NSU and the Tahlequah community. I’d like to thank Athletic Director Tony Duckworth, President Turner, Coach Randy Gipson and the athletic department for a first class experience and look forward to joining the RiverHawks family very soon,” said Bullock.

“I am up for the challenges of coaching and competing in the MIAA next season and developing the RiverHawks Women’s Basketball program to be conference and regional contenders in the near future.”

With six years of head coaching experience, Bullock is 97-75 overall and within conference play she is 61-53.  She has spent the last four seasons (2013-17) as head coach at NCAA Division II Armstrong State University, where she recorded a career mark of 60-52.  In her first season at Armstrong State, she led the Pirates to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history, and reached the Sweet 16.

At Armstrong State, Bullock has coached five all-conference players, one Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year, and was named PBC Co-Coach of the Year in 2014.

Bullock came to Armstrong State from Central Georgia Technical College in Macon, Ga., where she started the program in 2011 and directed the Cougars to an impressive 25-6 record in just their second season of competition in 2012-13, advancing to the GCAA Championships.

Bullock was the assistant coach as well as the Senior Woman’s Administrator (SWA) at Columbus State for two years. The Cougars featured a WBCA first team All-American selection and compiled a 32-23 record in her two seasons with the program.

Bullock earned her bachelors of science degree in health and human performance from Northeastern State in 2004 as well as her masters of science degree in kinesiology from NSU in 2006.

Following her time at NSU she spent one season as an assistant coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College before moving on to NCAA Division II Midwestern State as an assistant coach from 2007-09.

The Irvine, California, native began her intercollegiate career at Irvine Valley College, transferring to Northeastern State as a junior.

Bullock and her husband, Dermayne, were married in June of 2011.

An formal introductory press conference with Bullock will be announced at a later date.

Bullock’s Year-By-Year Record as a collegiate head coach
Year School W-L Postseason
2016-17 Armstrong State 10-18
2015-16 Armstrong State 16-12
2014-15 Armstrong State 13-14 PBC Tournament
2013-14 Armstrong State 21-8 PBC Tournament
NCAA Sweet 16
2012-13 Central Georgia 25-6 GCAA Tournament
2011-12 Central Georgia 13-16 GCAA Tournament

What They Say:

Randy Gipson, Northeastern State University Retired Head Women’s Basketball Coach

“I’m excited that Fala will be our next head coach. She possesses many qualities that will serve her well in this position. She is a hard worker with a good grasp of the game and excellent communication skills. Fala’s leadership abilities will energize the program immediately. Great choice!”

Noel Johnson, Midwestern State University Head Women’s Basketball Coach

“Fala is a coach that leads by example and has great knowledge of our game. Fala is extremely dedicated to the growth of young women and is committed to their success long after she has coached them.  She is a proven winner and dynamic leader that is a great addition to the Northeastern State University family and Tahlequah community!”

Maurice Smith, Georgia College Head Women’s Basketball Coach

“Fala Bullock represents everything that is right about college athletics. Fala is someone I have the upmost respect for as a person and as a coach. She is all about developing her student athletes on and off the court.  Her teams are always prepared, play hard, and play with purpose and passion. That’s a direct result Fala’s leadership. I am excited to see her continue her success at Northeastern State University.”

Lisa Sweany, Armstrong State University Director of Athletics

“NSU has hired a quality coach and person in Fala Bullock.  Fala is a passionate, driven and intense coach who has the ability to demand a lot from her student-athletes, yet provide important balance with expectations, discipline and encouragement.  Her commitment to the total development of young women – from the court to the classroom and beyond – is unparalleled, and she takes great pride in watching her young ladies develop fully under her guidance. I know Coach Bullock is excited to be returning home and, as a strong minded X’s and O’s coach whose style of play is fast paced, energetic and exciting to watch, I’m confident it will give the RiverHawks fans something to be proud of.”

Nate Teymer, Augusta University Head Women’s Basketball Coach

“Fala was one of the true competitors in our league. Her teams were always well prepared and played hard for the whole 40 minutes.  I have always respected her approach to the game and the energy she coaches with. I feel Fala and Northeastern State is a great fit.  The way she cares for and develops her players will make her program a great threat in the MIAA.”

Photo Courtesy NSU Athletics

http://www.goriverhawksgo.com/news/2017/3/31/bullock-named-nsu-head-womens-basketball-coach.aspx