Over the course of the summer, we are going to be featuring our outstanding coaches. We will talk about their backgrounds, experiences and the great example they set for our student-athletes.
When it comes to coaching, Jasen Jonus is the real deal.
His friendly personality and ability to cultivate authentic relationships with student-athletes, recruits and parents make him a natural leader. At the same time, he values a high product and is not afraid to hold people accountable on and off the court.
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Jonus is the head coach of the LaGrange College women's basketball and cross country programs. The most important aspects to him are the success and well-being of his student-athletes. He puts them first and foremost in everything he does.
"Coach Jonus is the type of coach every player dreams of playing for," said rising fifth-year women's basketball senior forward Megan English. "Not only is he compassionate about developing us as players, but he is always checking in to see how we are doing outside of being an athlete. He is a players' coach and has completely turned around the dynamic of women's basketball at LaGrange. I am excited to see what he accomplishes as the head coach."
As an adamant supporter of the NCAA Division III philosophy, Jonus equips his student-athletes with the tools necessary to be successful after they turn their tassels at graduation. He gives his basketball players and cross country runners freedom to develop into the best version of themselves.
During cross country season, he builds up the confidence of the runners and values every member. In basketball, his up-tempo offense and aggressive defense allows players to jump into new roles and find their comfort zones.
"Coaching is all about relationships and trust," said Jonus. "I need to trust the student-athletes on my team when I put them into positions, and they need to trust me as a leader. I am a positive person, so I show that in the way I interact with people. Understanding the personalities of each player is important because some take well to being challenged, while others thrive more when you sit down and break down a situation."
Jonus has been the men's and women's cross country head coach for the last three academic years. During that time, Holly Moreland was named to the USA South All-Conference honorable mention team in 2018.
Jonus spent seven years as an assistant coach for the men's basketball program at LC from 2013-20, learning the ropes from any outstanding mentor in head coach Kendal Wallace. Jonus served as associate head coach for his final three years and led the varsity reserve team for four years.
During his time with the program, LC won three USA South Championships and advanced to four consecutive NCAA Division III Tournaments from 2014-17. Once the women's basketball head coaching job opened, Jonus knew he was ready to run his own program in April 2020.
"Coach Jonus is an excellent coach with a great mind for the game," said Wallace. "He knows X's and O's as good as anyone. Patience and caring for his players the way he does will take him a long way in this profession. I am excited to see his success in the future."
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Jonus won his first eight games at the helm of the women's basketball program during the 2021 season. The Panthers locked down the No. 3 seed in the USA South West Division Tournament, the highest finish by the program since the conference went to the West and East Division format in 2016-17.
Jahpera McEachin '21 and rising senior guard Jalaya Lewis were named to the USA South All-Conference West Division first and second team, respectively. On Jan. 25, McEachin became the first Panther to earn USA South Women's Basketball Player of the Week honors since Marilauren Farr '19 on Nov. 19, 2018.
"It was a great first year," said Jonus. "We implemented our systems, and the student-athletes were quick learners and happy to embrace my philosophy on both ends of the court. Moving forward, we want to compete every year for a USA South title and make noise in the NCAA Tournament. We have a lot of work to do to get there, but with our returning kids and strong newcomers we are on a path for future success."
Jonus' credentials as a basketball player speak volumes. He began his collegiate career and played one season at Wallace State in Hanceville, Alabama, leading the conference in 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made as a freshman.
He played three years of basketball at Birmingham-Southern from 2009-12. In 2009-10, the sophomore guard was named SCAC Co-Newcomer of the Year. Jonus received All-SCAC second team laurels during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 campaigns. He led the team in scoring and made 3-pointers all three years.
Birmingham-Southern 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. Jonus graduated from Birmingham-Southern in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in education.
After graduation, Jonus played semi-professional basketball for the Birmingham Blitz in the American Basketball Association (ABA) during the 2012-13 season before coming to LaGrange. He continued his studies at LaGrange, earning a Master of Arts in teaching in 2015, with concentrations in middle school grades and social studies.
The Boaz, Alabama, native played high school basketball at Crossville and was a two-year starter. He was a first team All-County and All-State selection both of those years. Jonus still holds school records for most 3-pointers in a game and most 3-pointers in a season. Crossville posted a 60-5 record during the two years that Jonus was a starter.
"The game of basketball has given me so much," said Jonus. "It teaches many lessons beyond the confines of the court, such as hard work, teamwork and sacrificing for the greater good. I was fortunate to have great leaders, and I feel a great responsibility to offer guidance and support for the next generation of players."
Assistant Sports Information Director Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.
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