MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas University announced today that Mulerider Head Men's Basketball Coach Mark Rutledge is stepping down from his post to pursue other professional opportunities.
 
"Coach Rutledge has had a tremendous impact on our men's basketball program and on Southern Arkansas University as a whole," said Director of Athletics Steve Browning. "His passion for student-athletes, commitment to excellence, and dedication to representing Mulerider Athletics the right way has been evident throughout his time leading our program. We are grateful for the countless hours, energy, and heart he poured into our student-athletes and wish Coach Rutledge and his family nothing but the very best moving forward. He will always be an important part of the Mulerider Athletics family."
 
In his two seasons at the helm of the Men's Basketball program, Rutledge numerous all-conference performers while also having several players named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District teams during his two-year stint. During the 2025-26 campaign, his team led the Great American Conference in three-point percentage with a mark of 35.4%. During his two-year stint as Head Coach, Rutledge's teams set new standards in both the classroom and in the community. In both years his team maintained a 3.0 or higher cumulative team GPA while also finishing each year ranked number one in the nation out of all Division II Men's Basketball programs in community service.
 
"I am extremely grateful for my time at Southern Arkansas," said Mark Rutledge. "Special thank you to Coach Browning for giving me my first opportunity to be a Head Coach. A special thank you to the Magnolia community for supporting our program over these last two seasons and thank you to the athletic administration that helped to carry me during my time here. SAU will always-always have a special place in my heart. I am forever grateful to this community and this university. With that being said, I will be stepping away to pursue other coaching opportunities. Love always."

Rutledge will now make his way to the University of South Alabama where he will serve as an assistant coach on their Men's Basketball staff.