Florida Atlantic has hired Baylor assistant John Jakus as next head coach
John Jakus has been hired as the new head coach at Florida Atlantic, the school announced on Wednesday evening. Jakus has spent the past seven seasons Baylor working under Scott Drew, and before that was on Mark Few‘s staff at Gonzaga for three years.
“When we began this search, we spoke to coaches, athletic directors, administrators, scouts, and agents, and the name that kept coming up with glowing reviews was John Jakus,” said AD Brian White. “He checks so many boxes in what we’re looking for to enhance and build on the momentum in our program. His pedigree, learning from two of the greatest coaches in the game today, is unmatched. John is a tireless worker who cares deeply for his players and has an innate understanding of the current landscape in college athletics. He is a winner and is passionate about doing it the right way.”
Jakus, 48, was an assistant on the 2020-21 Baylor squad that won the National Championship, and was elevated to associate head coach a year later when Jerome Tang left to take over at Kansas State.
He takes over an Owls program that was built into an AAC contender and national brand by former head coach Dusty May, who last week left after five seasons to become the head coach at Michigan. May led the Owls on a remarkable run to the NCAA Final Four in 2023 and returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2024 with an at-large bid following their first season of AAC competition.
“I’m both honored and humbled to be the head coach at Florida Atlantic University,” Jakus said. “I want to extend my sincere thanks to President Stacy Volnick, Director of Athletics Brian White and the Board of Trustees for their belief in me and my vision for the future of the Owls. This program has been in such great hands, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for what Dusty May, his staff, and the players have accomplished. FAU has been one of the best teams in the nation the last two years and I am so fortunate to carry on that tradition.”
Prior to initially joining the Baylor staff as a graduate assistant in 2012, Jakus worked as a professional coach in Europe, serving as head coach at ABA Strumica in Macedonia (2010-11) and for Agape Bulgaria (2007-09). He also worked with Athletes in Action as volunteer head coach for both NCAA and professional basketball trips (2005-08) and as international basketball head coach and director (2008-14).
credit to Florida Atlantic Athletics for the image
