The Sterling College Athletic Department has announced that Dean Jaderston will resign his position as the head men’s basketball coach at Sterling College. Coach Jaderston will transition to full time chaplain at Sterling College for the rest of the year. He is actively pursuing some new opportunities for ministry, and will continue to lead Northern Pines, the Christian family conference he has directed with his wife Julie for 12 years.
“I have loved my time at Sterling College. I am proud of our two regular season championships, our 2011 tournament championship, and our four championship game appearances at Hartman Arena. We set four regular season win records and I had many great moments at the Gleason Center,” said Jaderston. “I’m proud of our team’s GPA and their character, and the impact we had on our mission trips to Panama. I’m so glad I got to know and learn from Lonnie Kruse. I have loved my job, and most importantly, the men I coached. Those young men are far more important than the wins and championships we have won. Men who love Jesus and continue to follow him wherever life takes them. Men who graduated, and are now husbands and fathers, teachers, businessmen and physical therapists, pastors, missionaries, and worship leaders. They are why I came to Sterling in the first place, and why I will always treasure my time here. It is a special place. My three sons have graduated from here. We have friends and colleagues now who will remain part of our lives forever.” said Jaderston.
During his thirteen years at the helm, Jaderston led the Warriors to two regular season KCAC Championships and the KCAC Tournament Championship in 2011. He also reached the KCAC Championship game four times and the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship twice.
Jaderston also coached six players who earned All-American honors, while numerous players earned All-KCAC honors and awards. He was also named the KCAC Coach of the Year twice during his time at Sterling College and is the winningest coach in program history earning 189 career wins.
“Dean has had a tremendous impact on many student-athletes lives over his time as our men’s basketball coach,” said Director of Athletics Justin Morris. “We thank him for his guidance and all the work that he has poured into our men’s basketball program and our athletic department. We wish him all the best as he moves forward to pursue new opportunities in ministry.” said Morris.
“I am sad to leave, but I also know change is good and look forward to new horizons and new challenges,” said Jaderston. “I am excited about all the new things that are coming and I am thankful to Sterling and all the great memories I have had with the school, the community, and the athletic department. I wish Sterling Athletics great success in the future.”
Sterling will move forward immediately to begin a nationwide search for a new head men’s basketball coach.
Sterling will move forward immediately to begin a nationwide search for a new head men’s basketball coach.
