Following up on something that I mentioned in the Daily Dirt on 6/16/17. It’s now been made official, Florida International Head Coach Anthony Evans announced that Jarrett T. Lockhart has been promoted to assistant coach, effective July 1. He replaces Eric Pastrana who was named the head coach at Daytona State College in June and will be primarily responsible for working with the Panthers’ backcourt players.
“I am excited to be promoted from director of operations to assistant coach,” said Lockhart. I have learned a lot under Coach Evans these last three years being in his system, so I am very eager to get working, get recruiting, get on the court and try to develop some of our guys – our guys that are coming back and the newcomers as well. I am just extremely excited to have this new opportunity.”
“Jarrett has been an integral member of my staff,” said Evans. “He is a tireless worker and will thrive in his new role an assistant coach. His experience as a college player and a professional athlete will be an asset in the development of our student-athletes.”
Lockhart earned his bachelor’s degree in social science with a minor in African studies at the University of Pittsburgh, where he had a very successful basketball career from 1996 to 2000. He was a team captain and a three-year starter for the Panthers. Lockhart netted 900 career points and grabbed 333 rebounds in 103 career games for Pitt. His best season came during his senior campaign, netting 11.9 points-per-game.
Lockhart enjoyed a three-year professional playing career in France, in which his team, Denain Voltaire, advanced to the French Cup in 2003. Following his playing days, Lockhart served as a program manager at Youth Places in Pittsburgh for three years (2004-07) before entering New York City politics as chief of staff for NYC Council Member Maria Baez (2007-10).
Before his previous position with FIU, Lockhart spent one season (2013-14) as an assistant coach at Lincoln College of New England in Southington, Connecticut. During his stint there, the Wildcats had one of the most successful seasons in program history, as the squad went to the National Junior College Athletics Association National Tournament for the first time in school history and finished ranked eighth in the country.
