Following up on what I mentioned in yesterday’s Daily Dirt…Kim Anderson has now officially added Jason Owens and Jon Gilliam to his staff at Pittsburg State. Here is the official press release by the college:
Pittsburg State University men’s basketball coach Kim Anderson announced the completion of his coaching staff for the 2017-18 season.
Most recently, Anderson hired formerly Moberly Area Community College assistant coach Jason Owens as an assistant coach for the Gorillas. He also hired former University of Missouri men’s basketball staff member Jon Gilliam as an assistant coach on Apr. 10.
“I am excited to add Jon and Jason to our coaching staff,” Anderson said. “I feel both will do a tremendous job mentoring and helping our student-athletes improve as players and grow and mature as young men leading to their degree from Pittsburg State.”
Owens joins the Pitt State staff after spending the past three seasons at Moberly, helping the Greyhounds compile a 72-26 combined record. He helped Moberly to Region 16 and District 5 titles as well as an NJCAA Sweet 16 appearance in the 2015-16 campaign. Owens helped the Greyhounds to a 27-5 record and a Region 16 regular season title in 2016-17.
Prior to serving at Moberly, Owens spent three years on the basketball staff at Central Michigan University (2010-11 – 2012-13), serving as video coordinator in 2010-11 before being elevated to assistant coach starting with the 2011-12 season.
A Detroit, Mich., native, Owens also served as assistant coach at Siena Heights (Mich.) University from 2007-08 to 2009-10, coaching four NAIA All-Americans and helping the Saints to a 44-20 combined record. He also served as the junior varsity head coach at Siena Heights.
Owens began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kan., during the 2006-07 season.
“Jason has worked under some very successful coaches, including, most recently, Pat Smith at Moberly Junior College,” Anderson said. “He is an accomplished recruiter and very good teacher of the game.”
Gilliam served as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons at Mizzou (2014-16) before serving as the Tigers’ video coordinator in 2016-17.
A native of Paris, Mo., Gilliam played two seasons at the University of Central Missouri, helping the Mules to a 30-5 record and the NCAA Division II National Championship as a senior in 2014. He played two years at Moberly Area Community College prior to transferring to UCM.
“I had the privilege of coaching Jon in college and he has been involved with winning programs his whole playing career,” Anderson said. “He will bring a great deal of knowledge and energy to our program.”
