John Newberry serves as Head Volleyball Coach for University of Central Arkansas's Volleyball program in Conway, Arkansas. Entering his 7th season on the Central Arkansas staff and fourth as head coach, UCA alum and football All-American John Newberry has helped to shape Sugar Bear volleyball into one of the nation's premiere Division I programs both on and off the floor. Joining the Sugar Bear coaching staff prior to the 2012 season, Newberry's impact was immediate as he coached one of the country's most successful teams during his first two seasons – making consecutive NCAA Tournaments and winning back-to-back Southland Conference regular season and tournament championships, a feat not accomplished within the league in 23 years.
In 2012 and 2013, the Sugar Bears went a combined 59-9 (the second most wins in Division I during that period behind only 2013 national champion Penn State), defeated Top-25 teams, broke into the Top-45 nationally in RPI, maintained perfect APR scores and ended the 2013 season ranked No. 17 in one national Top-25 poll. The Sugar Bears have taken home the league's Player of the Year and Student-Athlete of the Year awards and Setter of the Year twice, while having six First-Team All-Southland selections. In Newberry's first year at the helm, he led the Sugar Bears to a record of 12-8 in a shortened season and pushed them to the semi-finals in the Southland Conference Tournament. In the 2022 season, Newberry oversaw a talented group of young ladies, and led the Sugar Bears to the No. 5 seed in the ASUN tournament.
