Head Coach Tony Kemper

Tony Kemper was announced as the newest head coach of the Sugar Bears on March 10, 2023, after six seasons as the head coach of the Marshall women’s basketball team. While in Huntington, W.Va., Kemper compiled a 79-90 record, capping his tenure with a 17-14 showing in 2022-23.

During his time at Marshall, he coached seven All-Conference USA players and earned berths in five postseason tournaments.

Joining Central Arkansas as head coach, this stint is not Kemper’s first in Conway, having been an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s teams over a six-year span.

At UCA, Kemper helped the Sugar Bears to their first Division I conference title and three seasons of at least 21 wins. His tutelage of inside players helped gain two Southland Player of the Year honors and a Defensive Player of the Year. He also helped guide the team to a 2011 WBI Tournament and a 2012 WNIT appearance.

Before joining the women’s staff, Kemper served as an assistant coach for the Central Arkansas men’s basketball program for four years. Two professional players emerged from UCA during those seasons -- the leading scorer in Portugal’s Proliga pro league in 2011, Nate Bowie, and professional center Durell Nevels.

Prior to UCA, Kemper was an assistant coach at Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College - one of the nation’s most successful junior college programs.

At Hutchinson, he oversaw day-to-day operations and directed the Blue Dragons’ strength and conditioning efforts while also serving as a mathematics and physical education instructor.

The Logan, Kansas, native also held the head coaching spot at Quivira Heights High School in Bushton in 2003-04, guiding QHHS to a No. 1 seed to the regional tournament.

His coaching career began in 2002-03 as an assistant at Hill City (Kansas) High School.

Kemper received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Fort Hays State University in 2001 and a BBA in Business Education in 2003. He also earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Fort Hays in 2008.

Kemper and his wife Sandra, a professor at Marshall in the Communications Disorders Department, live in Huntington with sons Brayden and Landry and daughter Jolie.

You can follow Coach Kemper on twitter at @coachtonykemper.