head Coach: Jeff Sherman

Contact Information
Office: Student and Community Center
Phone: 877-268-1854 ext 58355 or 660-248-6355
Fax: 660-248-6256
jsherm01@centralmethodist.edu

On Oct. 25, Coach Sherman was among the newest members to enter the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in the class of 2009. Following one of the most successful seasons in CMU history last year, in which the team posted a 28-7 record and finished in the NAIA Division I Sweet 16, Sherman enters his 25th season at the helm of the Runnin’ Eagles with high expectations for a team that returns four starters and an experienced incoming class.

Fast breaks, up-tempo offense and pressure defense are among Sherman’s favorites. He began his head coaching career at Central Methodist in 1985 and is the longest-tenured coach in the history of Central basketball. In 1994, Sherman surpassed Ken Ash as the all-time winningest coach at CMU, and currently stands at 441 victories. (441-349) Highlights of Sherman’s tenure include three conference titles, four conference Coach-of-the-Year awards, and nine 20+ win seasons, including the 30-7 finish in '94 which marks the most wins in a single season in the 104-year history of CMU basketball. The Eagles qualified for the NAIA Division II National Tournament in ’94 and’98, and the NAIA DI National Tournament last year. The Eagles have been ranked in the Top 25 during 10 different seasons under Sherman’s direction, with the 1997-98 team holding CMU’s highest ranking of No. 2 in the nation. The Eagles led the nation in scoring in 1990-91, averaging more than 106 points per game, and were runners-up the following year with 102 points per game.

Sherman was named HAAC Coach-of-the-Year for the second straight season last year after leading the team to another 20-win season, finishing 28-7, second in the HAAC and a berth in the NAIA DI Sweet 16. He is closing in on 450 collegiate wins, which places him among elite company in the coaching profession. Sherman currently stands No. 9 on the All-Time Winningest Coaches in history among four-year colleges in Missouri. In April 2008, Sherman was honored at the Guardian of the Game awards ceremony in San Antonio, Texas, during the NCAA Final Four with other coaches such as Lon Kruger (UNLV), Lane Odem (University of South Carolina), John Calipari (University Memphis) and Tubby Smith (University of Minnesota) for reaching the illustrious 400-win plateau for their collegiate careers.

From 1975-78, Sherman was one of the elite athletes in the state of Colorado. During this time, he was a two-time All-State basketball player in 1977-78. He helped lead De Beque High School to three state tournament bids in ‘75, ’77 and ’78, and was the runner-up in scoring as a junior with 30 points per game before leading the state in scoring his senior season averaging more than 37 points per game. Sherman scored more than 2,000 points during his high school career. De Beque High School had an overall record of 80-11 during Sherman’s tenure as a player. Sherman’s father, Al Sherman, coached the De Beque Dragons during this tenure and for a total of 26 seasons. Jeff Sherman still has one of the top performances in Colorado history when he scored 60 points during his final home basketball game of his senior season. To the present day, Sherman still has many of the top individual performances in Colorado history in regard to scoring in both single-season and career categories.

Sherman was also a standout track athlete, having been named the state’s top track performer during his junior and senior seasons. Sherman won the state titles in both the 100 and 200 dashes three times during his high school career and finished his senior season winning four individual state titles and helping his high school team finish 3rd in the state with only his four gold medals in count. Sherman continues to hold school and conference records in the 100 and 200 dashes. He piled up eight state gold medals during his high school career.

Following high school, Sherman attended Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo., and played both basketball and track. He was named the top track athlete both seasons. Following NJC, Sherman attended Central Methodist College where he helped lead CMC to its first conference basketball championship in 1980 and another 20-win season the following year. He averaged 10.5 points per game and led the team in both assists and steals during the two years. He made numerous all-tournament teams along with honorable mention all-conference.

After graduation in 1983, Sherman landed the head basketball and assistant football position at North Nodaway High School, where the Mustangs won conference championships in both sports, finishing with an 18-6 record in his first basketball outing as a coach. The following season, Sherman returned to CMC to take over the junior varsity program and assist Head Coach Ken Ash with the varsity. A year later, Ash departed for Pittsburg State and President Joe Howell and Athletic Director Jim Luetjen named Sherman the next head basketball coach of the Eagles.

Over the past 24 seasons, Sherman’s program has produced 21 players who have scored more than 1,000 career points, 50 players earning postseason honors, and 16 players selected as NAIA All-Americans. More importantly, players who finish their eligibility playing basketball at CMU have more than a 90 percent graduation rate at CMU. Another highlight during Sherman’s tenure is the schedule and travel opportunities players experience in the basketball program. During his coaching career, the Eagles have played more than 60 NCAA Division I and II teams in more than 25 states.

Sherman is an assistant professor and former department chair in the CMU Physical Education Division. He is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association. Sherman holds his annual individual and team basketball camps during the months of June and July, which have attracted more than 16,000 campers over his 24 seasons. He has served as guest speaker for many clubs and organizations, including athletic banquets and coaching clinics.

Success in athletics runs in the Sherman family. Sherman’s father coached more than 30 years, won numerous conference championships, had three state tournament bids, coached numerous all-state players, including both of his sons, and recently had the Al Sherman Gymnasium named after him in 2006 at De Beque High School in De Beque, Colo. Al coached Jeff in both basketball and track, along with Jeff’s brother, Mike, and sister, Laura. Mike Sherman was also an All-State basketball player and top track athlete in the discus and hurdles. Laura was a standout in basketball and volleyball. To continue the successful athletic tradition, Coach Sherman’s oldest son, Matt, is a senior on this year’s Runnin’ Eagles team and earned Honorable Mention All-American honors last year. He excelled in football, basketball and baseball in high school, being named All-State in basketball and all-conference in football and baseball. Ryan, Coach Sherman’s youngest son, is a freshman kickoff return specialist and wide receiver for the nationally ranked Central Methodist football team. He also plans to run track for the Eagles in the spring. Ryan was named All-State in football for the second season and basketball a year ago. He was also state runner-up in the 100 and 200 dashes in track.

Jeff and his wife, Julee, the Vice President of Finance and Administration at CMU, reside in Fayette, Mo., with their two sons, Matt (21), and Ryan (19).