OFFICIAL: Jason Crafton out as UMES head coach

Reports of this news surfaced several week ago, but UMES officially announced on Wednesday that it was searching for a new head men’s basketball coach. The press release did not go into detail on the circumstances of the divorce, but former head coach Jason Crafton is out after five years at the helm.

“Our national search for our next head men’s basketball coach is currently underway. We expect to have an influx of qualified applicants. Our selection committee intends to move swiftly and [thoroughly] in order to identify the next leader of Hawk men’s basketball,” said AD Tara A. Owens. “We emphasize finding a head coach with a focus on the well-being and success of our student-athletes. The next head coach will share in the aligned mindset and mission of the University to position our student-athletes to be successful in the community, classroom and competition.”

Crafton was hired in 2019 and went 43-76 over four seasons (the 2020-21 season was cancelled). The Hawks went 18-13 (9-5 MEAC) in 2022-23, their most wins since 2015, but this past season regressed to the bottom of the league at 9-20 (4-10).

credit to Maryland Eastern Shore Athletics for the image