New Faces, New Challenges: Coach Jordan Unpacks His Strategy for the Season Ahead

Coach Alfred Jordan I Photo from Clark Atlanta Sports (clarkatlantasports.com)

"This year, I want to bring a different level of expectation to the program... not just to win a conference but to be a national champion."

-Coach Alfred Jordan

Atlanta, GA— Clark Atlanta University's Men's basketball team had quite the success in the 2024-2025 season, securing a 15-5 conference record, demonstrating strong performance in SIAC play, and posting an overall record of 19-10. The Panthers also secured the back-to-back Eastern SIAC Division titles. After a season of continued success, the team is prepared to meet higher expectations in the upcoming 2025-2026 season, under the leadership of head coach Alfred Jordan, who enters another transformative year at the helm.

Reflecting on last season, Coach Jordan emphasizes the importance of maintaining the program's culture of excellence, one that extends beyond the win-loss record. "Every year that I'm here, I want to continue to build the culture of winning," Coach shared. "We've been successful with winning on and off the court". "I want to bring a different level of expectation, not just to win the conference but to be a national champion".

This season brings a new set of challenges for the Panthers, as Coach Jordan adds 12 new players to the roster. The OZ season has been dedicated to adjustments as the team learns to play under Jordan's leadership and coaching style. "It's been different this year," he explains. "When you're teaching a new philosophy to twelve new guys, the process takes time. We've had to break old habits; rewrite plays and rebuild from the ground up...but I like where we're trending."

As the expectations rise, so does the intensity. Jordan believes in a conditioning approach that mimics the pace and pressure of real competition. "We do basketball conditioning: live game situations where you have to think while you're tired," he explains, "It's about being ready for the physicality and tempo of college play".

Since taking over the program in 2023, Coach Jordan has molded CAU's basketball team into a powerhouse. From winning the 2024 SIAC Coach of the Year and the 2024 SIAC Championship to securing the most wins in program history, he has set an example that is exceeded each season. "Basketball isn't anything new", he reflects. "I've been a part of teams that succeeded and teams that struggled. I've taken the positive pieces and molded them together, and so far, it's been working".