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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In an exciting development for Parkland College, the architect behind the Cobras’ recent basketball triumph is preparing to advance his career. John Bowler, the head coach who orchestrated the team’s first national championship since 1986, is poised to return to Division One coaching.
Reports indicate that Bowler is set to join Eastern Michigan University, his alma mater, as an assistant coach. This move was revealed by Jon Rothstein, a respected college basketball insider from CBS Sports.
The Chicago native spent four seasons in Champaign, leading the Cobras to two national championship game appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2025, followed by a win in the national title game in 2026 as an 11-seed.
Bowler played four seasons of college basketball at Eastern Michigan from 2002-05, where he scored over 1,400 career points.