The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football head coach,
Alonzo Hampton has announced the appointment of
Tom Manley as the team's tight ends coach, along with his return as the special teams coordinator.
Manley transitions to the tight ends position after coaching running backs, where his unit ranked in the top six in the SWAC with a total of 17 touchdowns. Rising star and Arkansas native
BJ Curry finished in the top 11 in rushing and tied for 14th in the conference for rushing touchdowns. On the special teams front, the Golden Lions excelled, finishing first in PAT (36-36) and second in field goals (10-12, .833).
Manley will take over a tight ends unit that returns two significant players and some added depth, which should play an important role for the Golden Lions.
Prior to joining UAPB, Manley spent two years at Lincoln (PA), where he successfully led an offense that set 11 school records in 2023. During his tenure, he coached CIAA Offensive Player of the Year, sophomore quarterback Isiah Freeman, as well as HBCU All-Americans Malachi Langley. In the 2022 season, Manley guided true freshman Isaiah Freeman to several honors, including CIAA Rookie of the Week (three times), 2nd Team All-CIAA, and CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year. He also coached sophomore running back Amir Gerald, who averaged 6.3 yards per carry on 89 attempts and earned a spot on the 2nd Team All-CIAA.
Before his time at Lincoln, Manley served as Offensive Coordinator and Academic Coordinator at Western Connecticut State University for four years. During his tenure, the offense consistently averaged over 30 points per game.
Earlier in his career, he spent five years at Plymouth State University, where he was the Offensive Line Coach for three seasons and the Defensive Ends Coach for the last two. While at Plymouth, he coached two All-MASCAC players and contributed to the Panthers winning the MASCAC title in 2017.
Manley played offensive line at Castleton University, where he was a four-year starter and earned all-conference honors.
