Lincoln University Director of Athletics and Recreational Services, Harry Stinson III, has announced the removal of the interim tag and official hiring of Jason Armstrong as the Lions’ 23rd Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
Jason A. Armstrong was appointed as the Interim Head Coach in June 2022, after serving as the Associate Head Coach for the prior two seasons. During his tenure as Interim Head Coach, Armstrong led the team to a 17-15 record including a historic run to the CIAA Tournament Championship Game, the first in Lincoln’s storied history.
“I’m excited to introduce Jason as our next Head Men’s Basketball Coach,” said Stinson. “Over the past few years I have gotten to know Jason and am a firm believer in his vision to lead Lincoln onward and upward. In his time at Lincoln, Jason has truly grown as a leader as evidence with our historic championship run that just fell short last season. His recruiting background, his ability to connect, train and lead young men is the overwhelming reason to remove the interim tag and name him our head coach. I’m excited to continue to be a part of his growth and watch him elevate the program to be a perennial CIAA Champion and NCAA Championship contender.” During his interim season, Armstrong coached a pair of Lions to All-CIAA selections. Senior, Korey Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y./LaSalle Academy) was named to the All-CIAA Backcourt and redshirt freshman, Freddie Young, Jr was named to the CIAA All-Rookie team. Williams ranked with conference leaders in a number of statistical categories including third in scoring with 16.8 points per game, second in free throw percentage (81.4%) and fourth in three point field goals made per game. In addition to gaining accolades with Williams and Young, the Lions saw Reggie Hudson (Bronx, N.Y./St. Raymond’s) and Peter Sorber (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Catholic) also have breakout moments. Hudson led the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio and ranked second in steals per game. Hudson would finish the season ranked fourth in the CIAA in assists per game. Back from a season ending injury during the 2021-22 season, Sorber ranked third among lead leaders in blocks.
Armstrong arrived to Lincoln after serving as an assistant coach and director of recruiting at Division II Dominican College for seven seasons. During his tenure at Dominican, the Chargers reached four consecutive Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) championship games, while claiming back-to-back CACC championships 2019 & 2020.
“I am blessed and honored to be named Head Coach of Lincoln University,” stated Armstrong. “I would like to thank President Brenda Allen and Athletics Director Harry Stinson for giving me this great opportunity, as well as believing in my vision for the future of the Lincoln men’s basketball program. This past season, with the support of Interim AD Josh Dean and the entire Athletic Department, we were able to make history! The first men’s basketball team to ever advance to the CIAA Conference Tournament Final 4 and Championship Game. Even though it was not the outcome we wanted, there is no doubt in my mind that we will be back! The returning players are hungry and so are the new additions. The level of support is immeasurable, from the support of my family, previous coaches, as well as current and former players.”
Armstrong began his coaching career guiding the Riverside Church Hawks AAU Program (Senior Team 18 and under) in Harlem, New York from 2006-2011. His teams won numerous tournaments on the AAU circuit, including the Elmcor Summer Tournament, Stop the Violence – Memorial Day Tournament, Atlantic City Showcase, NY Blaze Invitational, and the Holcombe Rucker Tournament. Armstrong has also coached at the high school level, serving as the head junior varsity coach and an assistant varsity coach at La Salle Academy High School (2007-09) before taking the head coaching for boys JV and Varsity and serving as Athletic Director jobs at Uncommon Charter High School in Brooklyn, NY. He moved to the college ranks for two seasons as an assistant coach at Bloomfield College, where he helped the Deacons claimed back-to-back CACC championships 2012 & 2013. He then moved on to Dominican, also in the CACC Conference for seven years. At Dominican College, Coach Armstrong’s coaching skills flourished, as he served as the director of recruiting, helped with the scouting of opponents, was the academic liaison, and handled player development. Armstrong is devoted to the development of basketball and gives back to the game of basketball during the summer months. During this time, Armstrong has volunteered at the Basketball City Basketball Camp, NBPA (National Basketball Player Association) Basketball Camp, NBPA/Five Star Elite Basketball Camp, Hoop Mountain Elite Camp, Scout Focus Elite Camp and has served as an Assistant Director of the New York Knicks Summer Basketball Camp. In 2020, Coach Armstrong was ranked #6 of the Top 10 D2 Black Assistant Coaches in the Country by the Minority Coaches Association.
Armstrong is a 1995 graduate of LaSalle Academy High School in New York City, where he played alongside a pair of McDonald’s All-Americans – Shammgod Wells aka God Shammgod (1995), and Ron Artest (1997) during his standout high school career. His collegiate basketball career began at Dominican College, where he played two seasons, including being a part of the 1995-96 regular season championship team. He finished his career at The University of the District of Columbia, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications (television/radio) in 2000. Upon graduation, Armstrong accepted a position at Black Entertainment Television (BET), working at the network on the show Rap City Tha Basement from 2000-2005 before beginning his basketball coaching career.
“The continued goal is to build on the success that Coach Corey Lowery started,” adds Armstrong. I am excited to see what this team, my staff and I will achieve this upcoming season for Lincoln University. My goal is to build an elite program both academically and athletically and something that Lincoln University can be proud of every time we step on and off the court.”
