Men's Basketball

Jeff Sherman was named the Director of Athletics for Central Methodist University on March 15, 2022 after a 37 year career as Head Men's Basketball Coach at Central. 

He is the longest-tenured and winningest coach in the history of Central Methodist University and one of the longest tenured Collegiate Basketball Coaches in the nation.

Sherman is currently ranked 7th as the winningest active NAIA Basketball Coach in the nation and ranks 6th on the all-time winningest basketball coaches in the state of Missouri history among four-year colleges with 646 victories. Sherman has represented the Heart of America as National NAIA rater for the past 13 years and begins his second year as a member of the Arc and National Selection Committee for determining teams for the NAIA National Tournament.

Fast breaks, multiple offensive and defensive schemes are among Sherman’s favorite tactics. Under Sherman’s direction, Central Methodist has become one of the storied programs within the NAIA. CMU is currently the #9 All-Time Winningest NAIA Program in the country and the 5th Active winningest NAIA Program with 1426 victories.

A few highlights over Coach Sherman career include eight conference Coach of the Year Honors, the 2018 Heart of America Conference Coach of Character award, (12) 20-win seasons, one 30-win season, four conference titles, one divisional title, five NAIA National Tournament bids, three sweet 16 finishes and 14 seasons with top 25 national rankings. The Eagles highest national ranking came in 1998 holding the #2 spot for three weeks finishing the season 26-8. Sherman also received the CMC’s Young Alumni Award in 1998 and holds both Associate Professor and Head Basketball Coaching status at the university.

Coach Sherman is currently a member of two Hall of Fames classes with more to come. First, on October 25, 2009, Sherman was inducted in Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield, MO to the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In September 2012, Sherman joined the Hall of Fame on the campus of Central Methodist University adding another honor to his successful coaching career. According to Coach Sherman, “my greatest HOF moment was watching my son Matt Sherman, inducted into the CMU Hariston Hall of Fame in 2015”. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to coach my son over his collegiate career. It’s obviously wonderful to be a part of his many accomplishments and honors, but more importantly watching Matt grow into a gifted, talented and high character young man.”

Under Sherman’s direction at Central Methodist, The Eagles have placed 71 players with All-Conference honors, 19 players earning NAIA All American recognition, 22 NAIA All-Scholar Players and 23 players scoring over 1000 points over their career. There have been five conference Player of the Year honors, Six Newcomer of the Year and Three Freshmen of the year honors. The past three decades the Eagles have held numerous Heart of America and NAIA records from team and individual performances. Most notably was the Eagles leading the nation in scoring in 1990-91 and 91-92 with 106.7 and 102 points per game respectively.

Coach Sherman has established a large Central Methodist Coaching Tree with over 75 former players pursuing the coaching profession. He has had numerous former players, graduate and assistant coaches move into collegiate coaching positions at all levels, NJCAA, NAIA, NCAA Division I, II & III across the country. “One of my favorite times of the year is attending the MBCA Coaching Clinic where I can see over 50+ boys and girls high school basketball coaches that have graduated at Central.” says Sherman. It is rewarding to see my CMU Family move up into the coaching ranks and excel. One of the greatest satisfactions is watching former assistant coaches thrive in this challenging profession. They taught me so much which helped develop the culture we continue daily at CMU. I am thrilled they continue this leadership and mentorship at other institutions helping develop young athletes reach their full potential.

Sherman is an Associate Professor and former Department Chair in the CMU Physical Education, Health, and Sport Management Division. He has held both head Men’s Golf and Tennis Coaching

Positions and served as Interim Athletic Director. He is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association. Sherman established his basketball camps in 1985, which have attracted more than 28,000 campers. He has served as guest speaker for many clubs and organizations, athletic banquets, coaching clinics, All-Star banquets, seminars and commencement speaker during graduations. Sherman is currently recognized as the “Senior Marshall” for Central Methodist University commencement services.

Before beginning his coaching career, Sherman was one of the elite basketball and track athletes in the state of Colorado from 1975-1978. He earned all-state honors representing De Beque High School 1975,77,78 in track and 1977,78 in basketball. Sherman led the state of Colorado and the Midwest region in scoring in 1978 with a 37.8 PPG average. He scored over 2,000 career points over his high school career, including three 50 plus point games and scoring 60 points vs. Ouray High in a 107-83 victory his final home game as a senior. Sherman started on three teams that qualified for the Colorado State Championships and finished his high school career with an 80-9 overall record. Sherman played for his father Alan Sherman in both basketball and track throughout his Elementary, Junior High and High School career. Later, the De Beque High School gym would be named the” Al Sherman Gymnasium” in honor of his lustrous career.

In track, Sherman swept the 100 and 200 dashes all four years in conference and district and three times 75-77-78 at the Colorado State Track Meet and racked up eight total state gold medals over his career. He continues to hold high school and conference records today 40 years later. Sherman could have possibly been the first athlete to win four years gold medals in the 100 & 200 sprints, however an injury his junior season sidelined his hopes during the state meet.

Following high school, Sherman attended Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado. He received both a basketball and track scholarship. He was named NJC’s top track athlete both seasons 1979 and 1980, while qualifying for the NJCAA indoor and outdoor national meets. Sherman’s fastest times were 10.4 in the 100M Dash and 20.9 in the 200M dash. In basketball, he was a member of the 78-79 and the 79-80 team which qualified for the NJCAA National Tournament in 1980 in Hutchison, Kansas. Sherman played for Hall of Fame Coaches Roy Edwards and Lowell Roumph at NJC.

Following NJC, Sherman attended Central Methodist College where he helped CMC to its first Heart Conference Championship (24-7) in 1980 in over 25 years and another 20-win season the following year. He averaged 10.5 points per game and led the team in both assists, steals and Free Throw percentage during his two seasons. He made numerous all-tournament teams and was sidelined much of the time with a knee injury his final season. Sherman played for HOF Coach Ken Ash while at Central.

After graduation in 1983, Sherman landed the head basketball and assistant football coaching positions at North Nodaway High School, in Hopkins, Missouri, where the Mustangs won the conference championships in both sports. Sherman’s team finished with an 18-6 overall record and undefeated in conference play 8-0 his first coaching season. Sherman also coached the junior high boys’ and girls’ basketball and track teams.

The following season, Sherman returned to CMC to take the assistant basketball coaching position and head junior varsity coach under HOF Head Coach Ken Ash. A year later, Ash departed for Pittsburg State University following an eight -year HOF career with the Eagles. CMC President Joe Howell and Athletic Director Jim Luetjen after a national search named Jeff Sherman the next head basketball coach of the Eagles in July 1985 at the age of 24.

As Coach Sherman enters his 37th season at Central, his wife, Julee, the Vice President of Finance and Administration at CMU begins her 36th year. The Sherman’s continue to reside in Fayette, Mo. They have two sons Matt and Ryan, both attended and thrived at CMU. Matt was a HM All-American Basketball player and Ryan exceled in football and track over his career. Both are married, Matt and Stasia live in Fayette and have one son, William (3) and one daughter Charlotte (6 months), while Ryan and Nicole live in Glasgow, MO and have two sons Nash (6) and Graham (4).