ATLANTA – Oglethorpe University Athletic Director Todd Brooks announced Friday, May 24, the hiring of Jacen Jonas as the next women's head basketball coach at Oglethorpe University.
Jonas graduated from Crossville High School in 2008 and recently enrolled at LaGrange University and is an experienced NCAA Division III athlete and coach who has earned numerous well-deserved accolades in both environments.
“We are pleased that Coach Jonas has agreed to become our new head women's basketball coach,” Brooks said. “Coach Jonas has a wealth of collegiate experience and basketball knowledge, first as a player and now as a coach. He is familiar with our conference, which will make the transition very smooth.”
“He has a proven track record of building programs and while our program remains competitive, he has the ability to take it even further.”
Jonas comes to Oglethorpe from LaGrange, where he coached basketball and cross country.
In his four seasons at the helm of the women's basketball program, the team compiled a combined record of 61-28 (68.5%) with a winning season all four years. He was named College Conference of the South (CCS) Coach of the Year in 2023 after a 20-7 season, LaGrange's single-season winning record.
“I am honored to be named head women's basketball coach at Oglethorpe University,” said Jonas. “Oglethorpe is one of the elite schools in the South and I am extremely honored to have been selected to lead their women's basketball program.”
“I would like to thank President Katherine McClymond, Athletic Director Todd Brooks and the entire university administration for this opportunity. We share the same vision that Oglethorpe women's basketball should be one of the elite programs in the South. Good luck, Stormy Petrels!”
Jonas was at LaGrange for 11 years, rising from graduate assistant to associate head coach of the men's basketball team and eventually to head coach of cross country and women's basketball.
On the men's team, Jonas helped the Panthers win three USA South titles and make four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
Prior to joining LaGrange in 2013, Jonas played one year for semi-pro team Birmingham Blitz and prior to that had a decorated playing career at Birmingham Southern College from 2009-2012.
At Birmingham-Southern, Jonas won two Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) regular season championships, was team captain and leading scorer and helped the team qualify for its first NCAA Division III national tournament. In his three seasons at Birmingham-Southern, the team compiled a 98-17 record.
Jonas also won SCAC Freshman of the Year honors during his time at BSC and earned the honor of being selected as a two-time member of the SCAC All-Conference team.
Jonas graduated from Birmingham-Southern University with a Bachelor's in Educational Services in 2012 and LaGrange University with a Master's in Education in 2016.
He is heavily involved in the LaGrange community and has coordinated two youth outreach programs through the university. Jonas is also a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and the National Basketball Coaches Association and is certified in strength training and conditioning by the International Sports Science Association.
