JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville University hired Florida assistant Jordan Mincy as its head coach Thursday, landing an up-and-comer to lead a basketball program that hasn't been relevant since making the NCAA championship game in 1970.
The 34-year-old Mincy followed Gators coach Mike White from Louisiana Tech in 2015. Florida went 123-75 during his time in Gainesville, including four straight 20-win seasons (2015-19) and four consecutive NCAA Tournament bids (2017-21).
“Jordan has seen it all as a player and from the assistant’s chair, and he’s more than prepared to take the next step,” Jacksonville athletic director Alex Ricker-Gilbert said.
Mincy, who is from Memphis, Tennessee, was a four-year letter-winner at Kent State. He graduated in 2009 and made coaching stops at South Carolina, Kent State, College of Charleston, Toledo and Louisiana Tech before spending six years in nearby Gainesville.
He was named to ESPN's “40 Under 40” in 2020, checking in as the highest-rated assistant coach on the list at No. 7. He also was named to the Black Coaches Watch List in 2021.
“I’m so appreciative to Mike White and everyone who has helped me reach this point,” Mincy said. “I feel extremely blessed and prepared for this moment, and I’m ready to get going.”
He takes over a Jacksonville program that fired Tony Jasick earlier this month. Jasick went 95-123 (.436) in seven seasons with the Dolphins, including 42-60 in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Jacksonville last made the NCAA Tournament in 1986. The Dolphins were a force in 1970, with 7-foot-2 center Artis Gilmore leading them to the championship game against powerhouse UCLA, which they lost 80-69.
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