Menlo College has announced the appointment of Jamison Montgomery as Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball program. Montgomery is already well known to the Menlo College community, having served as Associate Coach from 2016 to 2020. His return to the Oaks follows a successful tenure as Associate Head Coach at the University of Hawaii Hilo.
Montgomery brings a dynamic vision rooted in a championship culture, academic excellence, and community engagement. During his Menlo tenure, the Oaks transformed from a 10-win squad into a 20-win, nationally-ranked program – and achieved their first NAIA National Tournament appearance in a decade.
Montgomery was named to the 2019 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) 30 Under 30 Coaches list for his impact and rising leadership in the profession. This honor is awarded to the nation’s most promising young basketball coaches.
His time at UH Hilo was also marked by transformative growth. Montgomery helped guide that program to four straight PacWest Conference Tournament appearances, including back-to-back seasons marked by the best records in the program’s last 20 years. He recruited and developed multiple All-Conference and All-American players, and maintained a team GPA above 3.0 every term. His impact was equally strong off the court, fostering community relationships, overseeing fundraising initiatives, and organizing youth and mentorship programs.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jamison Montgomery back to Menlo,” said Vice President for Athletics Keith Spataro. “He exemplifies the values we hold dear: integrity, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence on and off the court. His deep understanding of Menlo’s culture and his demonstrated success as a recruiter, educator, and mentor make him the ideal person to lead this program forward.”
Montgomery’s coaching philosophy is built on the “Four Cs”: communication, competitiveness, compassion, and culture. His strategic focus combines aggressive defensive schemes, fast-paced offensive play, and a strong emphasis on academic accountability and personal development. That philosophy will guide the Menlo College Men’s Basketball program to future success.
“I am incredibly honored to return to Menlo College,” said Montgomery. “This program means a great deal to me. Menlo is a place where student-athletes thrive in their sport, the classroom, and life. I’m excited to build on the strong foundation Coach Rooney left and to take this program to new heights with passion, vision, and purpose.”
With deep ties to California and national junior college recruiting pipelines, Montgomery is poised to attract top-tier student-athletes who reflect Menlo’s academic and athletic distinction standards.
As Menlo College Athletics continues to build on its legacy of excellence, Coach Montgomery’s leadership signals a decisive step forward, one where tradition meets transformation, and the next chapter in Oaks Basketball begins.
