By Trevor Wenners
Assistant Director of Sports Information
Back in 2013, Jasen Jonus' future was steaming with potential.
The young man received a Bachelor of Education in history from Birmingham-Southern in 2012, while starring as a three-year student-athlete on the basketball court. During the 2012-13 season, he played semi-professional basketball for the Birmingham Blitz in the American Basketball Association (ABA).
The possibilities were endless. There was only one roadblock, Jonus did not know exactly what he wanted to do next. That uncertainty went out the door when he stepped foot onto LaGrange College's campus.
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| Jasen Jonus continues to represent LaGrange College in great ways. |
"Six years ago, coach Kendal Wallace heard through a mutual family friend that I was looking to be a graduate-assistant coach and he called me for a visit," said Jonus. "I was familiar with LaGrange College because we played against the Panthers when I was at Birmingham-Southern. Once I came on my visit, I was sold. I loved everything the town and college had to offer. The campus and athletic facilities were nicer than I thought and bigger than I pictured. Coach Jennifer Claybrook and everyone treated me like family. I knew that I had found the right spot."
Jonus quickly made an impact on the men's basketball program. He served as a graduate assistant during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons under the supervision of Wallace and then-associate head coach David McGreal. During those two seasons, the Panthers won the USA South Championship and reached the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Jonus got involved in all facets, showcasing the work ethic, desire and initiative that paved the way for future success. He also earned a master's degree from LaGrange in teacher education (social studies) in 2015.
"I tried to soak up everything from recruiting and in-game management, to other tasks such as trying to get a good deal at restaurants for road trips," said Jonus. "I washed hundreds of loads of laundry, but it helped mold me into the coach I am today. I will never take any small task for granted."
Having a mentor like Wallace, who knows what it takes to run a successful program day in and day out, was a huge positive for Jonus. Wallace guided the Panthers to four-straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament from 2014-17, as the team won three USA South Championships during that stretch.
"Coach Wallace has really taught me a lot about basketball and life in general," said Jonus. "One of the most important qualities that he has taught me is the attention to small details in planning for games, practices or anything outside of basketball. Our success is directly correlated with how our team is so close and how our coaching staff encourages a championship mindset every day."
As Jonus' knowledge of the game expanded, he was met with a promotion. Prior to the 2017-18 season, he was named associate head coach, serving as Wallace's right-hand man for the last two-plus seasons. His primary responsibilities revolve around recruiting, practice planning, road-trip preparation, food for the road and opponent scouting.
Jonus' ability to build relationships with potential student-athletes is impressive, as he has a great deal of credibility as a former Division III student-athlete.
"We try to recruit high-character players that want to do great things with their college careers," said Jonus. "There is no greater feeling than to recruit a student-athlete and see them grow over four years into the man or woman they become after playing a college sport and getting their degree. Seeing them walk across the stage for graduation is one of the greatest feelings and it is why we do what we do."
Over the last two years, Jonus has also excelled as the head coach for the Panthers' cross country teams. This past fall, his men's and women's teams combined for 11 personal records at the USA South Championship on Nov. 2. Jonus has raised the bar for the program and anticipates a bright future. All 15 of his student-athletes improved dramatically during the 2019 season.
"I never ran in college, but I ran in high school, so I had some experience with it," said Jonus. "I thought it would be a great opportunity to help build the program back up and help make it a great experience for the current and future athletes. I envision building strong men's and women's teams that competes year in and year out for conference championships."
Jonus, who hails from Boaz, Alabama, suited up for the basketball program at Birmingham-Southern from 2009-12. In 2009-10, the sophomore guard was named SCAC Co-Newcomer of the Year. He received All-SCAC Second Team laurels during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 campaigns. Jonus led the team in scoring and made 3-pointers all three years.
The team won the SCAC East Division regular-season championship in 2011 and 2012. As a senior, Jonus guided the program to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
"It takes a lot of hard work and discipline to get to the NCAA Tournament stage," said Jonus. "At the national tournament, we have to get a mental mindset about just winning one possession at a time. That mindset allows us a chance at winning the next game or we go home. It is very difficult to reach that level, and I am very blessed to say that I did it as a player and four times as a coach."
Jonus, who is in his seventh year on the Panthers' basketball staff, is now giving back to the game that gave so much to him. He is using his wisdom and experiences to help student-athletes develop on and off the court.
"I really like the Division III philosophy and how the competition is really tough," said Jonus. "Many players and coaches that are not familiar with this level think that it is not a high level, but once they come watch a game or practice, they change their minds quickly. This level feels more authentic than the Division I level because the players are not on full scholarships. They are playing for love of the game and shaping their futures once they are done playing."
Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.
