Justin Jennings, the head coach at the United States Military Academy Prep School for the past three seasons, has joined the Army men’s basketball coaching staff, head coach Zach Spiker announced Tuesday.
Jennings fills the void left by former assistant coach Kevin App, who was named the head coach at Williams College in July.
“Coach Jennings has his fingerprints all over our program,” Spiker said. “The success we have had the past three years could not have been accomplished without the work he has done at the United States Military Academy Prep School. He has coached every player in our program who attended USMAPS, which will make for a smooth transition into our staff.”
"I am honored to be a part of the Army basketball family and coach Spiker’s staff,” Jennings said. “The opportunity to work at the world’s preeminent leadership institution is something I truly embrace. I am looking forward to assisting this program as we ascend on our quest to compete for Patriot League championships."
Since taking the helm at USMAPS in April of 2011, Jennings guided the team to a 77-18 overall record and a .811 winning percentage. Last season the team went 27-5 and set a new school record for wins. Jennings’ teams averaged better than 85 points per game over the three-year stretch and were undefeated against service academy opposition (6-0), including a 5-0 mark versus Navy Prep.
Prior to arriving at West Point, Jennings spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Carnegie Mellon University. Jennings joined the coaching staff at Carnegie Mellon before the 2008-09 season and was on the Tartans’ bench when they advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. He was instrumental in opponent preparation and helping the Tartans to their first-ever NCAA postseason victory. Jennings’ duties also included serving as the program’s recruiting coordinator, as well as overseeing the strength and conditioning program and video analysis.
Before his stint at Carnegie Mellon, Jennings served as an assistant at his alma mater, Penn State Behrend, for two seasons. During the 2007-08 season, Jennings helped the Lions win the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference title and earn a bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the fourth time in school history. The team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finished the year with a 24-5 record.
A four-year starter at point guard at Penn State Behrend, Jennings finished his career as the third all-time leader in assists with 322. He led the Lions to a school-record 81 wins, including two NCAA and two ECAC appearances.
Jennings received his Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies in 2006 and earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Penn State Behrend in May 2008. Jennings begins his appointment immediately.
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