Central Florida Christian Academy names new boys basketball coach

Albert Settles, an alumnus and former assistant at The First Academy, will take over the Eagles' program.

By Sam Albuquerque
| 4:55 p.m. April 26, 2024

Sports

Central Florida Christian Academy had announced Albert Settles as its new boys basketball coach and boys basketball program director, the school shared via a press release.

"We are excited to have Coach Settles as our next leader and developer of the young men involved in our basketball programs and look forward to many great years ahead," the press release said.

Settles is an Orlando native and an alumnus of The First Academy, where he played under former Royals coach Chris Mayberry, who recently resigned, and goes to CFCA after serving as the associate head coach for Mayberry since 2020.

“I am truly honored and excited to join the Eagles family as the new boys basketball coach!" Settles said in the press release. "God's timing is perfect and I'm thankful for HIS many blessings. I am eager to work with our talented student-athletes and coaching staff to build a program that embodies the values of being a STUDENT, PERSON and PLAYER."

"We will strive for success on the court while also prioritizing faith, character development and academic excellence. I look forward to the journey ahead and (am) committed to making a positive impact both on and off the court,” he said.

Following his playing days at TFA, Settles went on the serve as the University of North Florida men's basketball team manager during his time as a student at UNF. Upon graduating from North Florida, he became a graduate assistant coach for the Ospreys.

In 2017-18 Settles joined his alma mater's staff for one season as an assistant coach before heading to the coast and becoming a graduate assistant coach on the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University staff.

Settles takes over the Eagles program from Tyler Chapman, after his one season at the helm. CFCA finished the 2023-24 season with a 6-19 record and lost in the FHSAA Class 2A regional quarterfinals.

Sam Albuquerque

A native of João Pessoa, Brazil, Sam Albuquerque moved in 1997 to Central Florida as a kid. After earning a communications degree in 2016 from the University of Central Florida, he started his career covering sports as a producer for a local radio station, ESPN 580 Orlando. He went on to earn a master’s degree in editorial journalism from Northwestern University, before moving to South Carolina to cover local sports for the USA Today Network’s Spartanburg Herald-Journal. When he’s not working, you can find him spending time with his lovely wife, Sarah, newborn son, Noah, and dog named Skulí.