Southwestern Christian University announced Jon Mack as its next head men’s basketball coach Wednesday.
Mack comes to SCU after serving as head coach at the University of Valley Forge (Pa.) for 17 seasons, and athletic director for the past 13 years.
“I had tasked our search committee with finding a candidate who is enthusiastic about the University’s mission and has a demonstrated holistic approach of student-athlete success,” SCU President Reggies Wenyika said. “We believe we found that person in coach Jon Mack, and I am thankful for the diligent work of the search committee as they had over 40 eligible candidates nationwide to consider.”
While coaching at Valley Forge, Mack tallied 287 wins and coached 22 all-Americans. He was named NCCAA Division II National Coach of the Year four times and NCCAA Mideast Region Coach of the Year eight times, winning both awards in 2017.
“First off, I would like to thank God for guiding my steps and making room for my gifts and talents at SCU,” Mack said. “Secondly, I want to thank President Wenyika, Athletic Director Mark Arthur and the selection committee for giving me this amazing opportunity and welcoming me with open arms to the SCU family. I look forward to building a championship culture that prepares our athletes for the journey of discipleship through basketball.”
Mack’s teams finished as NCCAA Division II national championship runners-up in 2009, 2011 and 2012. Under the guidance of Mack, Valley Forge made 11 consecutive NCCAA Division II national tournament appearances, and won NCCAA Mideast Region Championships in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2016.
“We are extremely excited to have Coach Mack joining our staff,” Arthur said. “Jon is well regarded as an excellent coach and has a track record of speaking Godly wisdom into the lives of his athletes. What he has accomplished at Valley Forge speaks volumes as to the type of person Jon is, and SCU is fortunate to have a man of his character leading our men’s basketball program.”
As athletic director, Mack reintroduced baseball and men’s and women’s cross country, while adding men’s golf and softball to Valley Forge Athletics. In his last year, Mack guided Valley Forge Athletics into full National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III membership and acceptance into the American Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) Conference in January 2017.
Mack began his basketball career at Valley Forge as a player. From 1996-2000 Mack set many UVF records including total points (3,494) and points per game (26.5). Mack also averaged 11.1 rebounds per game and finished his career as UVF’s second all-time leading rebounder with 1,250 boards. He was a four-time NCCAA Division II all-American and was inducted into the UVF Hall of Fame.
In February 2017, UVF officially retired Mack’s jersey for his accomplishments as an athlete, and the NCCAA presented him with the Great Commission Award for his impact on young men through sport.
Mack received his Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from UVF. He also received a Masters of Sports Administration from the United States Sports Academy.
He is married to Jen Mack, and they have two sons, Jalen (7) and Justis (1), and a dog named Micky.
