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BULLDOG COACHING STAFFHead Men’s Basketball CoachKelly CombsKelly Combs is entering his sixth season as the head coach of the Union College men’sbasketball team. The Richmond, Ky. native was named to the helm of the Bulldogs inFebruary of 2002, making him the 13th person to hold the position since World War II.During his brief tenure, Combs has guided to a 78-88 record with his best seasoncoming during the 2005-06 campaign when the Bulldogs posted a 22-11 - the program’sfi rst 20-win season in nine years. He has had fi ve players named to the AppalachianAthletic Conference All-Conference Team with one First Team member as wellas having four players earning AAC All-Freshman Team honors, including Joe Bramlagebeing named the league’s Freshman of the Year in 2002-03. In February of 2004, Bramlagewas named the NAIA Men’s Basketball Division II Player of the Week. In addition,Combs has had two players named as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete.Prior to coming to Union, Combs spent the 10-plus seasons at Berea (Ky.) College asits assistant basketball coach and head junior varsity coach. As the recruiting coordinator for Berea, he helped build theteams that qualifi ed for and competed in the NAIA Division II National Championship Tournament four times in the last sixyears, including a trip to the Final Four in 1999. In addition, fi ve of his recruits have been named All-Americans.Combs is no stranger to Union, having played the 1987-88 season for the Bulldogs. The following year, he transferred toKentucky Christian College and helped it win the NCCAA National Championship. In high school, Combs was a member ofthe 1987 Madison Central squad that fi nished in the KHSAA Sweet 16 Final Four.In 1992, Combs received his Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University.Combs is married, and he and his wife Jody have four children: Kyle, Katelyn, Kristen and Kevin.Assistant Men’s Basketball CoachJerry NicholsJerry Nichols is beginning his fi rst season with the Bulldogs.The Memphis, Tenn. native came to Union after serving as an assistant coach at WaltersState (Tenn.) Community College in 2006-07 under head coach Bill Carlyle, helpingguide the Senators to a 21-11 overall record.Nichols played two seasons at Walters State, twice earning All-Conference, All-American and Player of the Year honors. During his fi nal season as a Senator, he helpedthe team win the State and Region VII championships as well as earn a berth to theNJCAA National Championship Tournament.After his stint at Walters State, Nichols moved on to play two season at NCAA DivisionI Arkansas State University. As a junior, he led the team in 3-point baskets with 61and averaged 9.6 points per game. A knee injury ended Nichols’ senior season.Nichols is single and resides in Barbourville, Ky.6 www.ucbulldogs.com