IPFW director of athletics Kelley Hartley Hutton has named IPFW assistant coach Jon Coffman as the Mastodons’ head men’s basketball coach – the 12th head coach in the history of the program.
"I am extremely thankful to Chancellor Carwein, Kelley Hartley Hutton, and the IPFW community for giving me the opportunity to guide the IPFW basketball program," said Coffman. "This is an outstanding university and community, and I look forward to continuing to build relationships and grow our fan base. I cannot describe how humbled and honored I am to have the opportunity to lead a program of this caliber, and I am eager to work with such passionate people who have a great vision for IPFW. Also, I am very lucky to work for a tremendous coach and tireless administrator in Kelley Hartley Hutton and look forward to working with her to continue to build the IPFW basketball tradition."
Coffman has spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Mastodons, which are coming off of a school-record 25 wins during the 2013-14 season, and a berth into the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. The team ended the season with the eighth-best field goal percentage in NCAA Division I, while ranking 16th in three-point field goal percentage, 20th in total three-point field goals, and 27th in total assists.
"We are extremely excited about Jon being our next men’s basketball coach," said Hartley Hutton. "Not only has Jon been a part of the current Mastodons success, but has worked and learned from a number of remarkable head coaches during his career. He brings a strong work ethic, and the program could not be in more capable hands."
Prior to coming to IPFW, Coffman spent time working with coaches that combined for over 1,200 wins, including two Hall of Fame college coaches whose courts are named in their honor (John Kresse at the College of Charleston and Bob Johnson at Emory and Henry), and three that hold their schools’ all-time win mark (Emmett Davis of Colgate, Kresse, and Johnson).
Coffman was the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Colgate University, where he worked with Davis, and prior to that he spent eight seasons on the staff at Stetson University. Working as the recruiting coordinator for the Hatters, the team won 33 of its last 44 home games, and recorded the highest conference finish in program history. His coaching tenure also includes stops at the College of Charleston – where they won the Southern Conference Division Title – and at Emory and Henry College.
He was a standout guard at Washington & Lee University where he was a three-year starter under program wins record holder Verne Canfield, who ended his coaching career with 460 victories. He earned the 1996 Washington & Lee Alumni Award, given to the senior who made the largest contribution to the program over his four-year career. Prior to his time with the Generals, he played under the 1995 National High School Coach of the Year Ron Bell at The Marist School in Atlanta, Georgia.
Coffman replaces Tony Jasick, who resigned after three seasons as head coach to take the head coach position at Jacksonville University.
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that Tony gave me, and I would not be where I am today without him being both an incredible mentor and friend," said Coffman. "I am unbelievably proud of what we accomplished as a program over the past three years and am excited to see his future success at Jacksonville University."
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