Arkansas State University-Newport’s first head coach for the new men’s basketball team started work on Wednesday, and he’s a northeast Arkansas native with a healthy basketball legacy.
In a media release, the school said Logan Nutt (pictured) will head the team when it begins its inaugural season for the 2023-2024 academic year at ASU-Newport.
“We are excited to welcome Logan Nutt to ASU-Newport as we field the first men’s basketball team in school history,” said ASU-Newport Chancellor Dr. Johnny M. Moore. “When looking for our first-ever basketball coach, we wanted a candidate who could quickly build a successful program while navigating the changing landscape of collegiate athletics. After meeting with candidates, we found all those attributes and more in Logan Nutt. Coaching is in his DNA, and he knows what it means to be a student-athlete, and we look forward to seeing him recruit, develop and mentor our students into winners on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.”
In the release, ASU-Newport called Nutt, “…a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience at both the high school and college levels. Nutt’s passion for basketball is rooted in his upbringing, as he comes from a family of coaches and has spent nearly 25 years watching NEA basketball. His father, David ‘Dickey’ Nutt, was the head coach for Arkansas State University’s men’s basketball team and currently serves as an assistant coach at the University of Missouri.”
Before joining ASU-Newport, Logan Nutt spent five years as a National Association of Intercollegiate Association (NAIA) assistant coach and was the head coach for two high school programs. Nutt’s college coaching experience includes four years as an assistant coach at Crowley’s Ridge College (2019-2023), where he helped lead the team to a national tournament appearance. He also coached for one year at Culver Stockton in Canton, Mo., where his team appeared in the Sweet 16 of the NAIA conference.
“We are grateful for the awesome opportunity at ASU-Newport,” Nutt said. “Northeast Arkansas and the entire state are known to be phenomenal basketball areas, and we are excited to provide additional opportunities for the student-athletes across the region.”
The school said Nutt’s extensive experience and proven track record of success would help on the recruiting trail and build a competitive program at ASU-Newport.
From Jonesboro, Nutt played under the leadership of Coach Barry Pruitt, including a state championship win for Jonesboro High School in 2007. He continued to play collegiately and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2011 and earned a Master’s in Higher Education in 2013.
ASU-Newport is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and will compete in Region 2 at the Division II level.
Image provided by ASU-Newport
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