CONWAY, Ark. – University of Central Arkansas Director of Athletics, Matt Whiting, has announced a contract extension for men's basketball head coach John Shulman keeping him with the Bears through the 2029-2030 season.

The Bears finished the season with a 22-12 overall record and a 15-3 mark in ASUN Conference play. UCA won two games in the ASUN Tournament to advance to the ASUN Championship Finals.

Central Arkansas Director of Athletics, Matt Whiting. "Coach Shulman has infused great energy into our men's basketball program and taken our program to new heights in a very short amount of time. He and his staff have instilled a strong culture and set a new standard for men's basketball at Central Arkansas. With the continued investment that we are making by opting into the house settlement terms and this new era of Division I athletics, as well as the plans for a new on-campus arena. I am excited about the future of Central Arkansas Basketball and proud to have Coach Shulman leading our program."

In his second season as head coach, Shulman guided the Bears to the most successful season in the program's NCAA Division I era. UCA set program-best marks in D1 for overall wins, conference wins, longest winning streak, and highest finish in the conference standings, while also reaching the conference championship game for the first time.

The season represented a dramatic turnaround from year one under Shulman. After finishing 4-14 in ASUN play and 10th in the conference standings during his first season, the Bears surged to a 15-3 league record and a first-place finish this year, capturing the program's first NCAA Division I regular-season conference title. Resulting in Coach Shulman being named ASUN Coach of the Year.

During the season, UCA put together an 11-game ASUN winning streak and closed the year by winning 15 of its final 17 games. The Bears' only losses to conference opponents came in overtime and away from Conway.

Offensively, the Bears averaged 83.6 points per game, while the defense allowed just 74.6 points per contest, with both marks ranking second among ASUN teams. UCA's +9 scoring margin led the conference.

The Bears were also dominant at home, posting a 15-1 record in the Farris Center, with their only home loss coming in overtime.

"We came out to Conway and Central Arkansas to do something special. We got close." Coach Shulman, continued. "We have unfinished business! We got a lot of work to do and we are excited about the future. UCA basketball is just getting started. I want to thank Dr. Davis and Matt Whiting for believing in our vision. Time to get back to work."

With Shulman under contract and a young roster returning, the Bears look to build on the success of the 2025-26 season as the program moves forward with a strong foundation in place.