SBU announced the hiring of Tomas Brock as head coach of the Men’s Basketball program and Matt Bollant as head coach of the Women’s Basketball program.
TOMAS BROCK
SBU Director of Athletics, Clark Sheehy, is excited to announce Bearcat basketball alumni, Tomas Brock, as the new Head Men’s Basketball Coach. Brock ’11, returns home with 156 head coaching wins in just seven seasons.
“We are thrilled that Coach Tomas Brock will be our next men’s basketball coach. Tomas has great experience and a strong track record of developing student-athletes.” Sheehy said, “He is a strong mission fit, and we are excited that he has chosen to come back to his alma mater to lead our program. It’s a great day to be a Bearcat.”
“Returning to Bolivar, Mo. as the head coach of the SBU Bearcats is a dream come true. I took pride in wearing the Bearcat uniform and representing this University as a player and now, I’ll take pride in bringing that same passion and commitment to the sidelines.” Coach Brock said, “Returning to an institution that is Christ-Centered and mission focused is exciting for me and my family. I’d like to thank Clark Sheehy and Dr. Rick Melson for their belief in me and our vision for this program.”
Brock joins the Bearcats after seven seasons at Columbia College where he posted an incredible 156-59 (.725) overall and 87-26 (.770) conference record. This tenure included two regular season American Midwest Conference (AMC) Championships (2023 & 2026) and two AMC tournament Championships (2023 & 2026). As well, he has led them to three NAIA National Tournaments. Brock was named the AMC Coach of the Year in 2023.
In his seven seasons, he has led the Cougars to 20+ win seasons in all but the Covid season, where the schedule was cut short. Brock has coached six NAIA All-Americans, 25 AMC All-Conference performers, and 69 Academic All-Conference performers. This past season, Brock led the Cougars to a 29-4 record and a near perfect AMC 13-1 record, ranked as high as #15 in NAIA.
Prior to being named the head coach at Columbia College, he was the Associate Head Coach for four seasons. He helped lead the Cougars to three AMC regular season championships, three NAIA tournament qualifiers, and two NAIA sweet 16’s. In 2018, Brock was recognized as an NABC 30 under 30 member, which consists of up-and-coming young coaches in men’s college basketball.
His first year as a head coach was at Hillcrest High school, where he led the team to a Missouri Class 4A State Runner-Up. Prior to being a head coach, he was an assistant coach at East Central University, helping lead the team to their first winning season in seven years.
Coach Brock got the opportunity to be a graduate assistant and learn from one of the most prominent Division II coaches and up-and-coming Division I coach, Ben McCollum (current head coach of Iowa University). Brock was a graduate assistant for Northwest Missouri State from 2011-13 and helped lead the team to a MIAA Regular Season Championship. He earned his Master of Science Physical Education at Northwest Missouri State.
Brock earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics as a student-athlete at Southwest Baptist University in 2011. While at SBU he helped lead the team to a 2009 MIAA Championship and was a 2x All-MIAA member. In his three years as a Bearcat, he started in every game he played (83) and amassed 933 total points while shooting 42.6% from the floor. His name can be found in five different SBU career record books: FT made (267), FT percentage (80.4%), assists (351), assists average (4.2), and games started (83).
“I look forward to reconnecting with Bearcat Alumni, the SBU and Bolivar communities and producing a basketball team that they can be proud of. I’m thankful for so many people that have been a part of my coaching journey, most of all my wife Abby and our children Bodie, Haddie, and Baylor”
SBU men’s basketball coach Tomas Brock will be introduced to the Southwest Baptist community at a press conference that will be held on Friday, March 27th at 10 a.m. in the 6th Man Room.
Here is what others had to say about Coach Brock:
“Tomas is a rising star in college basketball! He has won throughout his entire career. Most importantly Tomas cares deeply about the players he coaches. This along with his strong Christian Faith make him the perfect fit at Southwest Baptist University – Ben McCollum, Iowa Head Men’s Basketball Coach
“I’m so excited for Tomas and SBU. Obviously, he has a great history there and a passion for SBU…so combine that with his coaching and I think big things are ahead for SBU basketball. He has a deep knowledge of DII basketball from his playing and early coaching days and has been recruiting the Midwest his whole career. He’s been successful at literally every stop of his career, and I expect that to continue in Bolivar. Congrats to SBU and Coach Brock! – Dr. Andy Peterson, Northwest Missouri Director of Athletics
“There’s something special about coming home. I’m thrilled for Tomas and his family as he returns to Southwest Baptist University, where he made such a tremendous impact on the Bearcats historically successful teams during his playing career. As head coach, his work ethic, attention to detail, leadership, and ability to connect with players will set a very high standard for the program going forward. SBU is getting an outstanding coach and person to lead their program.” – Ja Havens, Northeastern Oklahoma State Head Men’s Basketball Coach
“Tomas is one of the best and brightest coaches in the game. His consistent success is to be admired. He is committed to mentoring and serving each of his students as they work to achieve their athletic and academic goals. His coaching is anchored by his commitment to his faith, his family, and servant-leadership. He will be an outstanding addition to the SBU community!” – Bob Burchard, former Columbia College AD & NAIA Hall of Fame Coach
MATT BOLLANT
SBU Director of Athletics Clark Sheehy is excited to announce Matt Bollant as the new Head Women’s Basketball Coach. Bollant joins the Bearcats with 24 seasons as a women’s college head coach including 475 career wins, five conference Coach of the Year Awards, and 12 postseason appearances.
“We are excited to add Coach Bollant to our Bearcat Family! The thing that jumps out about Coach Bollant is his desire to impact young people for Christ and his strong background of coaching success. We believe at SBU he will thrive doing both!” Sheehy said, “Matt’s family will be a blessing to the SBU community! It’s a great day to be a Bearcat!”
“I am so excited to be the head coach at Southwest Baptist University! I am humbled by this amazing opportunity.” Bollant said, “Clark Sheehy has a great vision for the women’s basketball program and cares so much about it. Dr. Melson was incredible in my talk with him, and I love his passion for what athletics can bring to this great University. I believe this program is a sleeping giant and God is going to do some great things on and off the court in our program”
Bollant had his greatest success while coaching at Division I Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB) from 2007-12. There he posted an outstanding 148-19 record (.886) with five Horizon League Championships, four NCAA Tournament berths, and a Sweet 16 appearance. He was voted Horizon League Coach of the Year four times while at UWGB and coached three conference players of the year. While there his team went 95-5 (.950) in Horizon League play, the best winning percentage by any coach in the history of the league.
One of his most prestigious accomplishments was winning the Kay Yow Coach of the Year Award. This is presented annually to the Division I women’s head coach who embodies a winning spirit while displaying great character, on and off the court. Bollant was presented this award in 2011 after a 34-2 season, being the second coach ever to win this award.
Bollant becomes a Bearcat after two years at Bryan College where he successfully led them to two winning seasons and a National tournament berth. In his two-year stint as head coach, he posted a 35-19 record. He improved the teams’ conference record from 12-9 to 18-2 in his second season. He started his head coaching career at Bryan College from 2002-07 where he posted a record of 134-36 record and led them to three NAIA National Tournament berths and a sweet 16 appearance.
In between UWGB and returning to Bryan College, Bollant coached at University of Illinois (2012-17) and Eastern Illinois University (EIU) from 2017-2024. He led the Fighting Illini to an NIT berth in 2013 along with an All-American honorable mention. While in Champaign, he was named winner of the 2015 Kay Vow Heart of a Coach Award presented by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. During his time at EIU, Bollant coached seven 1st-team All-Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) players, an OVC Player of the year, and an OVC Freshman of the year.
He began his coaching career at Tigerton High School in Wisconsin, guiding its girls’ basketball team to a 63-10 record from 1994-97. He then moved to the college ranks, assisting Wisconsin native Kathi Bennett from 1997-2000 at the University of Evansville and assisting Bennett again from 2000-02 at Indiana University.
Bollant earned his bachelor’s degree at Winona State University in business education in 1994. He later earned a master’s degree in instructional technology from American Intercontinental University in 2006.
Bollant and his wife, Kari, have five daughters – Jo, Regan, Marita, Merari, and Flor.
