Associate basketball coach hired at Bowling Green

Losing four seniors isn’t the only change for Shocker men’s basketball.

Associate head coach Chris Jans announced on Sunday that he has accepted the head coaching position at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

While Jans was one of several coaches the Falcons were looking into hiring, Bowling Green Athletic Director Chris Kingston said he believes Jans has prepared his entire career for this moment.

“When we sat down just 12 days ago, he confirmed what I thought I knew,” Bowling Green athletic director Chris Kingston said at the press conference. “He blew me away with his energy, his expertise and his drive for excellence.”

Tuesday afternoon, Jans was introduced to the Falcon community as the 16th head coach of the program.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” Jans said to the audience. “I’m very honored and very humbled and grateful to be standing here today. I can’t tell you how excited I am.”

After suffering the first and lone season loss on Sunday to Kentucky, Jans said it was tough to walk away from the program. However, he appreciates the opportunity that Wichita State and head coach Gregg Marshall provided him during his time at WSU.

“A very special thank you needs to go to Gregg Marshall at Wichita State,” Jans said at a press conference. “When he hired me seven years ago, he gave me an unbelievable opportunity. He is very special to me. We built something from the ground up that we’re very proud of.”

Since head coach Gregg Marshall’s Shocker debut in 2007, Jans has been by his side as assistant coach, and later associate head coach in the 2011-12 season.

In his Shocker coaching career, Jans assisted the team to three consecutive NCAA March Madness appearances, including a run to the Final Four in 2012-13, 2014 Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship, 2011 NIT championship and 2013 CBE Classic Championship.