Story Courtesy Peter Trainor, SFA Student Assistant for Strategic Communications
The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack Basketball Team and Head Coach Matt Braeuer announced the hiring of Jovan Austin on Wednesday.
Jovan Austin begins his first season with the SFA Men’s Basketball Program after spending the previous three seasons on the Mississippi State Bulldogs Men’s Basketball Staff. While at Mississippi State, Austin served as both a director of operations for two seasons and most recently served as the director of recruiting for the Bulldogs this season.
Austin has played an integral role in the Bulldogs success on the court over the last three seasons, as Mississippi State has recorded three straight seasons with over 20 wins, and have made the NCAA Tournament all three seasons Austin has been a part of the coaching staff. This season, the Bulldogs compiled a 21-13 overall record, secured a spot in the SEC Tournament where they knocked off the LSU Tigers 91-62, and secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season.
This year, the Bulldogs tallied five wins over Top 25 opponents. During his three seasons with the program, they recorded 10 wins over AP Top 25 teams and beat three AP Top 10 teams in 2023-24.
Prior to joining the Bulldogs coaching staff, Austin served as an assistant coach at Texas A&M-Commerce (now East Texas A&M University) in 2019-20, before making a stop as an assistant coach at Panola College for the 2020-21 season, and then serving as an assistant coach at University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley for the 2021-22 campaign before taking the job at Mississippi State.
Prior to his time as an assistant coach, Austin served as a graduate assistant at New Mexico State where the Aggies amassed a 58-11 record during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. The Aggies captured a pair of WAC regular season and tournament titles and nearly upset 2019 NCAA Final Four participant Auburn in the opening round.
Austin had the opportunity to suit up for current Mississippi State Head Coach Chris Jans at Bowling Green as a junior in 2014-15. Austin helped the Falcons amass 21 victories in 2014-15, helping the Falcons to one of the nation’s best turnarounds as they posted a 12-20 record the year prior.
Austin wrapped up his playing career at Texas A&M-Commerce in 2016-17 and helped his team to a NCAA Division II Tournament trip.
The Grand Prairie, Texas native started his collegiate career at Angelo State where he earned the 2012-13 Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year averaging 12.3 points, 3.5 assists and 1.7 steals per contest.
Austin played his sophomore campaign at Paris Junior College. He garnered an All-Conference Second-Team and an All-Region Third-Team selection. His team racked up 26 victories and advanced to the NJCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
At the prep level, Austin was a three-time letterwinner at South Grande Prairie High School. The District 7-5A Offensive MVP led the team to a 35-3 record and won a district title as a senior.
Austin earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies from Texas A&M-Commerce in December 2016.
Austin and his wife, Taylor, have a daughter Dallas.
