Middle Tennessee men’s basketball head coach Kermit Davis announced the promotion of Jarrod Lazarus to Director of Basketball Operations on Wednesday.
Lazarus served as graduate assistant for the Blue Raiders during a very successful 2012-13 season.
"Jarrod has been with us as year as a graduate assistant, while working on his MBA," noted head coach Kermit Davis. "He was a student manager for four years at Florida State. He is a bright, hard worker and very well organized. He did a fantastic job with our video editing last season. Jarrod will do a great job for us in that position."
In his year as GA, Lazarus managed team video, while editing and scouting game and practice tapes. He assisted with monitoring reports of all student-athletes academic progress. Lazarus was also responsible for helping with team practices and scheduling team travel. In addition, he helped with Coach Davis’ summer camps.
During Lazarus’ season at MT, the Raiders put together a school-record 28 wins, 19 Sun Belt victories and tied reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 24 years.
His duties will now consist of coordinating team travel, scheduling practice times, setting up future games, video/scouting, and serve as the Nike liaison. Lazarus will also oversee day-to-day manager duties, while working with the academic services and compliance.
"I am very excited to continue my work with the Blue Raider program," said Lazarus. "I want to thank Coach Davis and his staff, as well as President Sidney A. McPhee and Director of Athletics Chris Massaro for allowing me to have this opportunity. I look forward to an exciting season with Middle Tennessee as we enter a new era in Conference USA."
Prior to his arrival at Middle Tennessee, Lazarus worked as the director and an assistant coach under the legendary Marcos "Shakey" Rodriguez for Gold Coast Basketball since 2004. During his time with Gold Coast, a member of the Amateur Athletic Union, Lazarus was involved in player development and training, budgeting, marketing, arranging travel accommodations and game planning. The team made back-to-back Sweet 16 runs at AAU Nationals, including an Elite 8 appearance in 2008. He also served as an academic advisor and was the youngest member to win the AAU Leadership Award in 2010.
Lazarus attended Florida State University where he served as a student manager for the men’s basketball team for four years. The Weston, Fla., native was responsible for assisting at practices, breaking down opponents, keeping stats during games and helping with camps. During his senior season, the Seminoles qualified for the NCAA tournament and finished as one of the nation’s top 25 teams.
Throughout his career, Lazarus has helped place 45 athletes into Division I, II and JuCo programs.
Lazarus graduated from Florida State in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in business management and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Middle Tennessee.
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