FAU Recruits Baylor Assistant John Jakus as Head Coach

Baylor Assistant John Jakus Hired as FAU's Head Coach

Baylor Assistant John Jakus Hired as FAU's Head Coach | Image: Locked On Baylor/YouTube

Having spent twelve years contributing to two highly successful programs, John Jakus now has the opportunity to lead his own team.

On Wednesday, Florida Atlantic officially welcomed Jakus as the new head basketball coach. While the details of the contract remain undisclosed, reports suggest that Jakus has signed a five-year deal.

At the age of 48, Jakus assumes the coaching responsibilities at FAU after his tenure at Baylor and Gonzaga. He started his career as a graduate assistant at Baylor, later moving to Gonzaga as the director of basketball operations under the guidance of head coach Mark Few. Jakus then returned to Baylor in 2017 as an assistant coach under Scott Drew.

During Jakus’ coaching stint, the Bulldogs made it to the national championship game in 2017, while Baylor clinched the national championship title in 2021. Over his twelve seasons as a Division I coach, Jakus has witnessed his teams reaching five Sweet 16s, three Elite Eights, two Final Fours, and securing one national championship.

“When we began this search, we spoke to coaches, athletic directors, administrators, scouts, and agents, and the name that kept coming up with glowing reviews was John Jakus,” FAU athletic director Brian White said in a press release.

“He checks so many boxes in what we’re looking for to enhance and build on the momentum in our program. His pedigree, learning from two of the greatest coaches in the game today, is unmatched.”

Under former head coach Dusty May, the Owls, as a ninth seed, managed a surprising Final Four run last season, narrowly losing in a national semifinal to San Diego State on a buzzer-beater. FAU began this season ranked tenth and climbed to seventh position.

Finishing the 2023-24 regular season with a commendable 25-8 record, FAU was seeded eighth in the East Region but suffered a 77-65 overtime defeat to Northwestern, the ninth seed, in the opening round on Friday.

Prior to the recent back-to-back appearances, FAU had managed to reach the NCAA Tournament only once in its history.

Recently, Dusty May was appointed as the new head coach for Michigan.

Originally from Chicago, Jakus coached high school basketball in Cincinnati before coaching positions with Athletes in Action and professional teams in Macedonia and Bulgaria, and later joining Baylor in 2012.

Jakus will be formally introduced at a press conference scheduled for Thursday. 

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