The 2021-2022 basketball season for the Mansfield Lady Tigers will be seeing a new handler on the court. After many years head coaching the Lady Tigers, Coach Joshua Bryan made to hard decision to step down so he could put more time and focus into his family. Stepping up to take his place will be Ethan Bowman. Along with head coaching the Lady Tigers, Bowman, 22, will also be teaching history as well as assistant coaching track.
After graduating high school in his hometown of Ozark, Bowman went on to play college basketball at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville. While at the U of O, Ethan earned a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Physical Education with a minor in Health Science. “This will be my first official coaching job in public school,” expressed Coach Bowman. “I spent the past three years during college as the director and head coach of the Arkansas Wolves travel basketball program. A program that has become nationally recognized and has helped 25 student-athletes earn college athletic scholarships! From my own experience playing college basketball as well as being the head coach of a high-level travel program, I feel prepared to start this job at Mansfield as the head coach of the girls’ basketball program.”
There were many things that played a factor in Bowman’s decision to come to Mansfield. “I’ve always been intrigued by Mansfield and the potential that the school and town have to be special. I really wanted to be able to be a part of what makes Mansfield such a great place. My wife Mallory Bowman (Ward) and her family are from Mansfield and I’ve really gotten to learn about Mansfield’s past through them especially in girl’s athletics.” With the top-of-the-line achievement of last year’s Lady Tiger teams, Ethan is no stranger to what he’s acquiring. “I am taking over a girls basketball program that has seen great success this past season. The Jr High won the District Tournament and the Sr High played really well in conference play and made the Elite 8 in the 2A State Tournament. With that being said, there are definitely high expectations. Our program is going to be built on work ethic, discipline, togetherness, and toughness.”
“We will be a defensive-minded, mentally and physically tough team. Our goal for this upcoming season is to compete for the Conference, Regional, and State titles. As I said earlier, there are high expectations but I believe that this team is truly capable of achieving that as long as we buy-in and understand what it takes. More than anything, I want them to understand and know that regardless of wins and losses, I truly care for them. Not only as a student and player but as a person as well. I want them to leave my program better than when they came in and to be prepared to be successful in life outside of the gym!”
