WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) are searching for a new assistant basketball coach.
Jason Owens, Sr., has resigned his position with the Grizzly Basketball program to take a position with the staff of Missouri Southern State University’s (MSSU) new head coach, Sam McMahon, in Joplin.
Owens will be an assistant coach on the varsity team and head coach of the junior varsity squad.
“We appreciate Jason’s two years here,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Jared Phay said. “He helped me a lot as a coach and he will be a lifelong friend.
“I know it was a tough decision for him, but it is a good opportunity to join a great staff, and most importantly, it allows him to be with his family more,” Phay added.
MSSU competes at the NCAA Division 2 level and is a member of the Mid America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).
This isn’t Owens’ first foray into the MIAA. His coaching resume also includes a stop as assistant coach at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.
“It was an honor to work alongside Coach Phay at MSU-WP,” Owens said. “Coach Phay has a proven track record of winning, and we established the foundation of what will be a winning program sooner rather than later.
“I appreciate the staff, faculty, boosters and community for all their support,” Owens added. “I plan on making several trips to West Plains in the future.”
For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com or call 417-255-7991.
Missouri State University-West Plains empowers students to achieve personal success and to enrich their local and global communities by providing accessible, affordable and quality educational opportunities. Missouri State-West Plains offers associate degrees and credit and non-credit courses and serves as a delivery site for bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered by Missouri State University in Springfield.
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