Northwestern Oklahoma State University head men’s basketball coach Shawn Dirden has made the finishing touches on his coaching staff for the upcoming 2017-18 season official. The changes include two new hires and a promotion, as Dirden believes that he has found the right guys to help develop the young talent that the Rangers will look to for success this season.
Jordan Franz, Assistant Coach
Dirden is excited to announce the promotion of Jordan Franz as the lead men’s assistant basketball coach at NWOSU. “Jordan has been an important member of this Ranger program over the last two seasons,” Dirden said. “He’s been involved in every aspect of our program and has earned this opportunity. We’re fortunate to have a coach of his caliber whose knowledge of the university, community and the Great American Conference is invaluable.”
Franz is now entering his third season with the Northwestern men’s basketball program. After a four-year playing career at Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he played in 89 games for the Bulldogs, Franz came to Alva to serve as a graduate assistant.
“He is a tireless recruiter, and has consistently shown the ability build strong relationships and develop players on and off the court.”
Jarvis Jackson, Assistant Coach
Jackson joins the men’s basketball coaching staff following a year at Thomas Jefferson High School where he served as the assistant boys basketball coach. As the head assistant, Jackson was in charge of the defensive unit and turned them into a top-rated defense and was the best in the district in field goals allowed as well as three-point percentage. He also started a “2nd Chance Program” which was set up to be a mentor program between high school and elementary students.
“I’m excited to add Jarvis Jackson to our staff, he’s someone I’ve watched closely over the years working grass-roots levels in Denver, Colo. As a successful high school coach and basketball mentor, Jarvis has all the qualities you look for in an ascending coach – high basketball IQ, strong relationship building skills, and team-first mentality. I believe he has a bright future in this business.”
Jackson earned his associates degree from Northeastern Junior college in 2007 and his bachelor’s in 2010 from Newman University.
Oliver Willis, Assistant Coach
Willis joins the Northwestern Oklahoma State men’s basketball coaching staff as a graduate assistant following a one-year stint as a student-assistant for Southwestern Oklahoma State’s women’s basketball team. Willis formerly played at SWOSU under head coach Bob Battisti from 2011-2016 and graduated from Southwestern in May 2016.
“Oliver is a great addition to our staff and I am very excited to have him here. He brings a knowledge of both playing and working in the Great American Conference as he played right down the road at SWOSU. He came highly recommended and I’m very pleased to have him in our program.”
The Rangers will open their 2017-18 season on the road when they face the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Oct. 30 at the Donald W. Reynolds Center.
