Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Jakus Named Finalist for 2024-25 Joe B. Hall Award
3/4/2025 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Florida Atlantic men's basketball Head Coach John Jakus has been named a finalist for the prestigious 2024-25 Joe B. Hall Award, an honor given annually to the top first-year head coach in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The finalists were announced this week by CollegeInsider.com.
The Joe B. Hall Award, named in honor of the legendary coach who led the University of Kentucky to a national championship in 1978, highlights the achievements of coaches who are making significant strides in their first season at the helm of a college basketball program. Jakus is among an elite group of finalists being recognized for their leadership and ability to transform their teams.Â
Under Jakus, the Owls are flying towards a top-four seed in the upcoming American Athletic Conference Tournament with an overall record of 16-13, including 9-7 in the league. Regarded for his offensive-minded approach, FAU averages 79.6 points per game, which ranks third in the AAC and top-50 nationally. The bench has been a significant strength as the Owls rank 11th nationally with 32.0 points per game coming off the bench.
Before taking the job in Boca Raton, Jakus had an extensive career as an assistant coach, most recently at Baylor University, where he was instrumental in developing one of the most potent offenses in the country. He had two stints at Baylor, most recently as associate head coach under Scott Drew, wrapped around three years at Gonzaga University. Prior to his collegiate coaching experience, Jakus coached professionally in Europe.
The winner of the Joe B. Hall Award will be announced at the end of the season at the 2025 NCAA Final Four Championship Game in San Antonio, Texas.
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Mike De George Cal Poly
Ethan Faulkner Youngstown State
Kahil Fennell UT Rio Grande Valley
Cornelius Jackson Marshall
John Jakus Florida Atlantic
Jon Jaques Cornell
Mike Jones Old Dominion
Donny Lind Mount St. Mary's
Jonathan Mattox Morehead State
Ben McCollum Drake
Gerry McNamara Siena
Hank Plona Western Kentucky
Clint Sargent Wright State
Ivan Thomas Hampton
Kevin Young BYU
The Joe B. Hall Award, named in honor of the legendary coach who led the University of Kentucky to a national championship in 1978, highlights the achievements of coaches who are making significant strides in their first season at the helm of a college basketball program. Jakus is among an elite group of finalists being recognized for their leadership and ability to transform their teams.Â
"It's an honor to be named a finalist, and I am very blessed and thankful to this team and staff around me," said Jakus. "When putting together this team back in April, we realized how much goes into building a team from scratch. Because of that every great moment is a special one that we are thankful for. The accomplishments thus far couldn't have been made possible without the staff and the players that are so committed to FAU. Both have been wonderful and deserve the credit for any of our success as a family."
Under Jakus, the Owls are flying towards a top-four seed in the upcoming American Athletic Conference Tournament with an overall record of 16-13, including 9-7 in the league. Regarded for his offensive-minded approach, FAU averages 79.6 points per game, which ranks third in the AAC and top-50 nationally. The bench has been a significant strength as the Owls rank 11th nationally with 32.0 points per game coming off the bench.
Before taking the job in Boca Raton, Jakus had an extensive career as an assistant coach, most recently at Baylor University, where he was instrumental in developing one of the most potent offenses in the country. He had two stints at Baylor, most recently as associate head coach under Scott Drew, wrapped around three years at Gonzaga University. Prior to his collegiate coaching experience, Jakus coached professionally in Europe.
The winner of the Joe B. Hall Award will be announced at the end of the season at the 2025 NCAA Final Four Championship Game in San Antonio, Texas.
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JOE B. HALL AWARD FINALISTS
Patrick Crarey II Florida A&MMike De George Cal Poly
Ethan Faulkner Youngstown State
Kahil Fennell UT Rio Grande Valley
Cornelius Jackson Marshall
John Jakus Florida Atlantic
Jon Jaques Cornell
Mike Jones Old Dominion
Donny Lind Mount St. Mary's
Jonathan Mattox Morehead State
Ben McCollum Drake
Gerry McNamara Siena
Hank Plona Western Kentucky
Clint Sargent Wright State
Ivan Thomas Hampton
Kevin Young BYU
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