Story Courtesy: Wes McKinney, CU Sports Information Director
Concord University head men’s basketball coach Jayson Gee has announced the hiring of Jared Drake to the position of associate head coach.
Drake arrives at Concord after serving as the head coach at the College of St. Scholastica, a Division III school in Duluth, Minnesota, during the 2025-26 season. Prior to his one season at CSS, Drake spent the previous three seasons at Division II schools Western New Mexico (2022-23) and Arkansas Fort Smith (2023-25) as an assistant coach
“I want to sincerely thank President Meighen, Coach Gee, Athletic Director Luke Duffy, and the entire Concord University community for this opportunity,” Drake said. “The incredible hospitality they’ve shown me and my family has made us feel extremely welcomed. From the moment I stepped on campus, there was a genuine sense of community, connection, and purpose. I’m so grateful that Concord already feels like home. I’m excited to begin building relationships across campus and throughout the community.”
At UAFS, Drake was paramount in coaching three all-conference players in his two seasons. In his brief stint at Western New Mexico, Drake was on the bench for the Mustangs’ first winning season in 16 years.
“I’m ecstatic to get Jared Drake to Concord and be part of the Mountain Lion family,” Gee said. “He is relentless in his work ethic. Coach Drake’s energy and personality is infectious in helping us attract the best talent to Athens.
“Most importantly, he is a man of faith and cares about those around him. I look forward to Coach Drake helping us build something special at Concord University!” Gee continued.
Drake brings more than a decade of coaching experience with him as his first job at the collegiate level was being the head coach at Southeastern Illinois College, a junior college in Harrisburg, Illinois. He spent the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons in the JUCO ranks.
“I’m extremely excited to work alongside Coach Gee. He is one of the best coaches and leaders in the business,” Drake said.
“His vision for the program, passion for developing young men, and commitment to building a championship culture align strongly with who I am as a person and a coach. I’m looking forward to helping him build the character and integrity of our future leaders and establishing success on and off the court. We are excited to move Concord Basketball forward.”
Drake first big break in the coaching profession came as the associate head coach at Philander Smith University in Little Rock, Arkansas in June 2016. He spent two seasons there before brief stint as the head coach at Riley High School in South Bend, Indiana.
Drake played at Robert Morris College in Chicago where he earned an associate’s degree. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Southern University in New Orleans in 2012 before earning his master’s degree from Ohio University in December 2018.
