Martin Methodist Men’s Basketball head coach Dugan Lyne recently announced the addition of Jason Laatsch as the program’s new assistant coach.
Laatsch arrives in Pulaski after spending the last seven years at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida. Laatsch spent the previous two seasons as a graduate assistant, while spending the five prior seasons as a player on the men’s basketball team.
“We are delighted to have someone like Jason join our program,” Lyne said. “I think he will be a terrific fit with the Martin Methodist family and our program. He is coming from a great program at West Florida and has a terrific background to help recruit and develop our student-athletes. He is already on campus working hard and I cannot wait to get next season underway with him as part of our staff.”
Laatsch, a Birmingham, Alabama, native, began his coaching career at UWF on the heels of one of the great playing careers in program history.
During
his five years as a player, Laatsch finished his career with a
program-best 146 three-pointers. His name is etched elsewhere in the UWF
record books as well, with Laatsch standing eighth with 238 career
assists, ninth with 879 career points, and 11th in three-point
percentage at 35.5 percent.
As a graduate assistant, Laatsch
helped coach UWF to its first-ever Gulf South Conference tournament
title (2018) as well as the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament bid
(2018). The Argonauts posted 40 wins in the two seasons Laatsch spent
with the program, and Laatsch helped recruit and sign Jon Brown, the
2018-19 Gulf South Freshman of the Year.
“I am very humbled and thankful for this opportunity to become a member of the Martin Methodist family,” Laatsch said. “I want to thank Coach Lyne, our Athletic Director Mr. Jeff Bain, and our President Dr. Mark La Branche for allowing me to be a part of this esteemed institution and special community. I am excited to begin working with our student-athletes and helping them achieve all of their goals athletically and academically. Coach Lyne has a remarkable vision for our program and I cannot wait to get started.”
Laatsch is the son of Chris Laatsch, who coached Jason for four years at Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham, Alabama. Laatsch, a 2012 graduate of BCS, remains atop the BCS all-time scoring and three-point shooting records.
