Virginia Union picks Jaaber to replace Coker as head coach

Virginia Union University has handed the keys to its men's basketball program to Luqman Jaaber, a 30-year-old regarded as a young gun in the coaching business.

Jaaber takes the place of Willard Coker, who guided the Panthers to a 55-25 record in three seasons, but whose contract was not renewed last week.

The new coach was named the 1999 Times-Dispatch player of the year as a senior at George Wythe. In 2005, he helped Virginia Union win a national championship under coach Dave Robbins, who regarded Jaaber as a coach on the floor. Robbins often would ask Jaaber to pass along a certain instruction to the team, only to find that Jaaber already had done so.


Videographer: jsjunot; Virginia Union University introduces Luqman Jaaber as the Panthers' head men's basketball coach on March 30, 2011.

Luqman Jaaber Named Head Men's Basketball Coach

Virginia Union University named Luqman Jaaber to become the eighth coach in the history of the VUU men's basketball program, it was announced at a press conference in the Wilder Library on March 30.

Jaaber was introduced as the Panthers' head coach by VUU President Dr. Claude G. Perkins and Athletic Director Michael Bailey.

Jaaber, 30, had been an assistant coach for the VUU men's basketball team in 2008-09 and 2009-10 and was the captain of VUU's 2005 National Championship Basketball Team.

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