Jay John
Encyclopedia
Jay John is currently an assistant men's basketball
coach for the California Golden Bears
at the University of California, Berkeley
. He was the former men's basketball head coach of the Oregon State Beavers
at Oregon State University
.
. He also was a walk-on football player at NAU as well. He later transferred and is a 1981 graduate of the University of Arizona
with a degree in biology. He continued his education at Butler
, where he earned a Master of Science
degree in 1994.
in Tucson, Arizona
. At Salpointe, John served as the freshman head coach and a varsity assistant for three seasons from 1980-83. He also taught physical science and biology there.
John's next job was at Jamestown Community College
in New York, as an assistant from 1983-85. He left Jamestown in 1985 to become an assistant coach with the University of Oregon
, serving under head coach Don Monson
. After one season with the Ducks, John returned to Jamestown to become the head coach for the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons. He led JCC to a two-year mark of 41-19 and to the Region 3 West Zone title game his first year. John was named the conference’s Coach of the Year.
After two seasons as the head coach at Jamestown, John left to become an assistant coach at the University of San Francisco
. He remained in San Francisco for one season.
John moved on again to become an assistant to Barry Collier
at Butler University
. He was a member of the Bulldogs’ staff from 1989–97, and helped the team to a then-school record 23 wins his final year. The 1997 team advanced to the NCAA Tournament
for the first time in 35 years.
In 1997, John again became an assistant coach at the University of Oregon. He remained with the Ducks for one season.
The following season, John was hired as an assistant at the University of Arizona
, under legendary coach Lute Olson
(a 2002 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee). In four seasons at Arizona, John helped the Wildcats to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including the national championship game in 2001. While in Tucson, Arizona finished in the top 12 in the national rankings every season, six student-athletes were selected in the NBA Draft, and on nine occasions individuals were selected to the All-Pac-10 team. John has been credited with the development of the Wildcats’ power forwards and centers during his tenure. Lindy’s College Basketball Yearbook named him one of five assistant coaches to watch, and Hoop Scoop ranked him number one in its top 25 assistant coaches poll.
In April 2002, John was introduced as the 19th head basketball coach in Oregon State's storied history.
In his first season at Oregon State, John's team earned its most conference victories in eight seasons, going 6-12 in the Pac-10 (6th-T), Oregon State's highest conference standing in 10 years. His team won at USC and UCLA in the same season for the first time in 15 years and captured the most road victories in one season in a decade.
The 2004-05 season, year 3 for John, was the season that things really got turned around. The team posted their first winning record in 15 seasons, going 8-10 in the Pac-10 and 17-15 overall. This was Oregon State's most conference wins and highest place in the conference(5th) since the 1992-93 season. John’s squad won a Pac-10 Tournament game for the first time since 1989, beating UCLA in the first round. The Beavers earned a post-season berth for the first time since 1990, receiving a bid to the National Invitation Tournament.
After two-and-a-half substandard seasons, John was relieved of his duties on January 20, 2008.
On April 23, 2008, John was announced as a member of Mike Montgomery's staff on the California Golden Bears men's basketball team.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach for the California Golden Bears
California Golden Bears
The California Golden Bears is the nickname used for 29 varsity athletic programs and various club teams of the University of California, Berkeley...
at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. He was the former men's basketball head coach of the Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State Beavers
The Oregon State Beavers is a name shared by all sports teams at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. The Beavers are part of the Pacific-12 Conference . Oregon State's mascot is Benny the Beaver...
at Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
.
Early life
John's college basketball playing career was as a walk-on player at Northern Arizona UniversityNorthern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is a public university located in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and has 39 satellite campuses in the state of Arizona. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.As of...
. He also was a walk-on football player at NAU as well. He later transferred and is a 1981 graduate of the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
with a degree in biology. He continued his education at Butler
Butler
A butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
, where he earned a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree in 1994.
Coaching career
John's first coaching position was as a basketball coach at his alma mater, Salpointe Catholic High SchoolSalpointe Catholic High School
Salpointe Catholic High School is a co-ed Catholic high school in Tucson, Arizona, run by the Carmelite Order. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson.-Founding and early development:...
in Tucson, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. At Salpointe, John served as the freshman head coach and a varsity assistant for three seasons from 1980-83. He also taught physical science and biology there.
John's next job was at Jamestown Community College
Jamestown Community College
Jamestown Community College is a two-year college in the SUNY system. JCC has two campuses in Chautauqua County, New York, located in Dunkirk and Jamestown. A third campus serves Cattaraugus County in Olean. A fourth site is located in Warren, Pennsylvania...
in New York, as an assistant from 1983-85. He left Jamestown in 1985 to become an assistant coach with the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, serving under head coach Don Monson
Don Monson
Donald L. "Don" Monson is a former college basketball head coach and the father of head coach Dan Monson...
. After one season with the Ducks, John returned to Jamestown to become the head coach for the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons. He led JCC to a two-year mark of 41-19 and to the Region 3 West Zone title game his first year. John was named the conference’s Coach of the Year.
After two seasons as the head coach at Jamestown, John left to become an assistant coach at the University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
. He remained in San Francisco for one season.
John moved on again to become an assistant to Barry Collier
Barry Collier (basketball coach)
Barry Collier is an American former college basketball coach. He is currently the athletic director at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was previously head men's basketball coach at Butler and at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.-References:...
at Butler University
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
. He was a member of the Bulldogs’ staff from 1989–97, and helped the team to a then-school record 23 wins his final year. The 1997 team advanced to the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
for the first time in 35 years.
In 1997, John again became an assistant coach at the University of Oregon. He remained with the Ducks for one season.
The following season, John was hired as an assistant at the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
, under legendary coach Lute Olson
Lute Olson
Robert Luther "Lute" Olson is a retired American men's basketball coach. He was most recently head coach at the University of Arizona for a period of 25 years. He was also head coach at the University of Iowa for 9 years and California State University, Long Beach for one season...
(a 2002 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee). In four seasons at Arizona, John helped the Wildcats to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including the national championship game in 2001. While in Tucson, Arizona finished in the top 12 in the national rankings every season, six student-athletes were selected in the NBA Draft, and on nine occasions individuals were selected to the All-Pac-10 team. John has been credited with the development of the Wildcats’ power forwards and centers during his tenure. Lindy’s College Basketball Yearbook named him one of five assistant coaches to watch, and Hoop Scoop ranked him number one in its top 25 assistant coaches poll.
In April 2002, John was introduced as the 19th head basketball coach in Oregon State's storied history.
In his first season at Oregon State, John's team earned its most conference victories in eight seasons, going 6-12 in the Pac-10 (6th-T), Oregon State's highest conference standing in 10 years. His team won at USC and UCLA in the same season for the first time in 15 years and captured the most road victories in one season in a decade.
The 2004-05 season, year 3 for John, was the season that things really got turned around. The team posted their first winning record in 15 seasons, going 8-10 in the Pac-10 and 17-15 overall. This was Oregon State's most conference wins and highest place in the conference(5th) since the 1992-93 season. John’s squad won a Pac-10 Tournament game for the first time since 1989, beating UCLA in the first round. The Beavers earned a post-season berth for the first time since 1990, receiving a bid to the National Invitation Tournament.
After two-and-a-half substandard seasons, John was relieved of his duties on January 20, 2008.
On April 23, 2008, John was announced as a member of Mike Montgomery's staff on the California Golden Bears men's basketball team.