Former Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Jeff Ruland was hired to lead UDC’s men’s basketball program on August 18, 2009.  In a press conference, President Allen L. Sessoms, Ph.D. praised the work of Athletic Director Patricia Thomas in finalizing a multi-year deal that brings Ruland to UDC for at least five years.

“Coach Ruland is the perfect choice at the perfect time,” said Dr. Sessoms.  “As we continue to strengthen and raise the profile of this institution, athletics is a serious component, and adding quality leadership like that of Jeff Ruland creates a strong foundation well into the future.”

Ruland inherited a depleted squad of just nine players, a few of them walk-ons, and had to endure a 1-20 season in his 2009-10 debut season. However, the veteran coach has the program headed in the right direction as he guided the Firebirds to an 11-15 mark in 2010-11 which included a 109-106 victory over the eventual East Region Champion, Bloomfield College on January 22, 2011. The Firebirds won their final seven home games at UDC Gym.

Ruland is looking forward to taking the UDC men's basketball program to the next level in 2011-2012 in its inaugural season in the East Coast Conference (ECC). The Firebirds will look to play a fast-paced style of basketball featuring a high scoring offense with an emphasis on tough defense and the transition game.

The Firebirds return six key players, including two of the top returning scorers in the Nation. The tandem of Brandon Herbert (Baltimore, MD – McDonogh HS) and Nigel Munson (Washington, DC – Dematha HS) should form one of the most potent backcourts in the country. Brandon Herbert (19.8 ppg) is the 9^th leading returning scorer in the country, and Nigel Munson (18.4 ppg) is the 22^nd leading returning scorer in the country, giving the Firebirds two of the top-25 returning scorers in the nation.

Ruland came to UDC with more than 30 years worth of professional and collegiate playing and coaching experience.  He has played professionally for teams in Washington, Philadelphia and Detroit, and spent nine years as the head coach of his alma mater, Iona College in New Rochelle, New York.

“It has always been a dream of mine to return to Washington, DC,” Ruland said upon being hired in 2009.  “UDC presents a perfect opportunity to mesh my coaching philosophy with that of an institution undergoing a rebirth.  The Firebird is definitely rising again!”

Athletic/Coaching History:

Jeff Ruland was drafted by the Golden State Warriors as an undergraduate in the second round (25th overall) of the 1980 NBA draft.  He opted, however, to play one season of professional basketball in Barcelona, Spain, where he averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per-game.  Ruland spent five pro seasons in Washington, DC and led the then Bullets in rebounding and field goal percentage each of those five years. He was selected to the 1984 and 1985 Eastern Conference All-Star teams and named to the 1982 NBA All-Rookie squad. His best season in Washington, and as a professional, came during the 1983-84 campaign when he averaged 22.2 points and 12.3 rebounds while shooting 57.9% from the floor.  Ruland also played professionally with the 76ers and with the Detroit Pistons before leaving the NBA in 1992 following an injury.

Ruland returned to the 76ers the next year as an assistant coach, but would soon leave to join his alma mater, Iona College, as an assistant coach in 1995 and then head coach from 1998-2007.  In August of 2008, Ruland again returned to the 76ers as an assistant coach, where he has served a year before coming to UDC.

University of the District of Columbia Director of Athletics Patricia A. Thomas announced the appointment of former University of Maryland standout Terrell M. Stokes as assistant coach of the UDC men's basketball team in September, 2009.  

Upon Stokes' hiring, head coach Jeff Ruland said, "I am very fortunate to have Coach Stokes on my staff. He was highly-recommended, and I've known him for several years. He is doing a terrific job of assisting me in re-building this program.  He has been a God send."

Stokes was instrumental in bringing Division I transfer Brandon Herbert from Binghamton University to UDC. Herbert, along with Virginia Tech transfer Nigel Munson, helps to form one of the most prolific scoring backcourts in the nation. Herbert (19.8 ppg) is the 9^th leading returning scorer in the country, and Munson (18.4 ppg) is the 22^nd leading returning scorer in the country, giving the Firebirds two of the top-25 returning scorers in the nation. Herbert was the leading scorer for UDC last season, and is an exceptional shooter and scorer. He will be looked upon to continue his shooting touch in 2011-2012. A local Washington, DC product out of Dematha HS, Munson is widely considered the top point guard in the country, and his leadership and ability to distribute the ball (6.7 apg) will be paramount for the Firebirds success. 

Before coming to UDC, Stokes served four years as assistant men's basketball coach at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland where he helped the team to its first consecutive winning seasons in school history. Prior to his Loyola stint, Stokes served as an assistant men's basketball coach at Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

His other coaching experiences include service as an instructor for the Montgomery Sports Association, Montgomery County, Maryland; head coach for the Montgomery Recreation League and individual instructor for the One-on-One Basketball program in Maryland and Virginia.

Stokes is a 2002 graduate of the University of Maryland, where he was a three-year starting point guard under head coach Gary Williams, leading the Terrapins to two Sweet Sixteen Tournament appearances. While at Maryland, he was named All-ACC, team captain, and currently holds the school record for assists in one game (15). Coach Stokes is also a graduate of Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.