I mentioned this one late last week (D3 DIRT) – it’s now official. Here’s the release from McDaniel College on the hiring of T.J. Jordan as their new head men’s basketball coach:
Director of Athletics Jeremy Shepherd announced on Monday that Maryland native T.J. Jordan has been selected as the new men’s basketball coach at McDaniel College.
The 20th head coach in the 104-year history of Green Terror men’s basketball, Jordan comes to the Hill after spending the last three seasons as the inaugural head coach at Notre Dame of Maryland University.
“I am thrilled to welcome Coach Jordan to the Hill,” said Shepherd. “He quickly rose to the top of the candidate pool with a clear vision for the future of McDaniel men’s basketball. Coach Jordan has a demonstrated record of developing student-athletes, building strong team cultures and competing at a high level. I believe he is the right leader to elevate our men’s basketball program.”
Jordan helped launch the men’s basketball program at Notre Dame during its transition to a coeducational institution and quickly guided it to success. In just their second season, the Gators won 16 games, a 13-game improvement over their inaugural season, and advanced to the United East championship game. The team matched that win total last season and made its second-straight conference tournament appearance.
Notre Dame had four all-conference selections in three seasons under Jordan, including two first team honorees, and the 2026 United East Defensive Player of the Year.
Jordan made his collegiate head coaching debut on Nov. 11, 2024, as Notre Dame played the first game in program history against McDaniel inside the Gill Center.
“I am excited and grateful for this new opportunity,” said Jordan. “McDaniel is an excellent college, has a great campus, and has an amazing staff. I truly believe that McDaniel is ready for success and that we can make an impact in the Centennial Conference.”
Prior to Notre Dame, Jordan spent six seasons as the head varsity boys’ basketball coach at McDonogh School where he led the Eagles to 70 wins, an average of 12 per season. He led the team to a 20 wins and No. 20 state ranking in 2016-17. McDonogh posted 19 wins in 2018-19 and a final state ranking at No. 29.
From 2010-13, Jordan was the director of basketball operations at Lehigh University when the 15-seeded Mountain Hawks stunned No. 2-seed Duke in the first round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on March 16, 2012, at the Greensboro Coliseum. He worked alongside two-time Patriot League Player of the Year and current Atlanta Hawk, CJ McCollum.
Jordan also spent one year as an assistant coach at Susquehanna University in 2009-10 and one season as the head coach at Bel Air High School, his alma mater, in 2008-09.
As a player, Jordan was a four-year member of the men’s basketball team at St. Mary’s College of Maryland that saw the Seahawks win a Capital Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship where the team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.
Jordan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. Mary’s in 2008 and Master of Education with a Certificate in Athletic Leadership from Goucher College in 2016. He is married to Candice, and the couple has three daughters, Natalie, Audrey, and Tori.
“I’m excited for the energy and leadership Jordan brings to our department,” added Shepherd. “Our student-athletes, alumni, and campus community will quickly see the passion and character that make Coach Jordan such a great fit here on the Hill and for this new chapter of Green Terror men’s basketball.”
Jordan will begin his duties on Monday, August 10.
