Tim Jankovich Named SMU Basketball Head Coach

The SMU Mustangs men’s Basketball team has a new Head Coach On Monday, the school announced that Tim Jankovich would be taking over the program.

Jankovich has been the team’s acting Head coach since March, when former head coach Larry Brown stepped down. Jankovich has been with the SMU program since 2012, serving as an assistant under Brown.

“I am extremely honored to be named the head men’s basketball coach at SMU,” Jankovich said in a statement. “I want to thank President [RICHARD] COWDEN and Athletics Director [JOHN] SMITH for this opportunity, and I look forward to working with our fine staff and student-athletes in continuing to build upon the success of Mustang Basketball ”

Jankovich takes over a team that went 27-7 last season and won the American Athletic Conference regular season title. The Mustangs lost to Louisville in the NCAA tournament round of 32.

Jankovich’s experience as a head coach

Tim Jankovich, former head coach at Illinois State and Southern Methodist University (SMU), has been named the new head basketball coach at SMU.

Jankovich has more than 25 years of experience as a head coach including stops at Tulsa, North Dallas High School and most recently, SMU. He has a career record of 486-363, and has led his teams to five NCAA Tournament appearances.

“I am honored and humbled to be given this opportunity to lead the SMU men’s Basketball Program ” Jankovich said in a statement. “SMU is a wonderful institution with a rich history and tradition, and I am looking forward to continue building upon the success that has been achieved here in recent years ”

Jankovich takes over for Larry Brown, who resigned last month after leading the Mustangs to a 25-5 record and an appearance in the NCAA tournament

Jankovich’s coaching style

In his four seasons at SMU, Jankovich has compiled a record of 87-40. His teams have won 20 or more games in three of those seasons, including a program-record 30 wins in 2015-16. That team also won the American Athletic Conference Regular Season title and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1993. Last season, the Mustangs won 25 games and reached the second round of the NIT.

Jankovich’s recruiting philosophy

“I believe in recruiting character first and then Great players ” Jankovich said. “I think if you get the right kind of people, the right kind of student-athletes that fit into what you’re looking for in your program, then the wins and losses will take care of themselves.”

Jankovich’s thoughts on the SMU Basketball program

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Campus, Jankovich discussed his thoughts on the SMU Basketball Program

“SMU is a great basketball school,” Jankovich said. “It has a rich tradition and a great fan base. I’m excited to be the head coach of the Mustangs and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Jankovich replaces Larry Brown, who resigned in July after three seasons with the Mustangs.

Jankovich’s vision for the future of SMU basketball

In his introductory press conference, newly-named SMU head basketball coach Tim Jankovich spoke about his vision for the future of the program.

“Our goal is to build a program that competes for championships on a regular basis,” Jankovich said. “We want to recruit high-character student-athletes who will represent SMU well both on and off the court.”

Jankovich inherits a team that went 15-17 last season and has not made an NCAA tournament appearance since 1993. He said he is confident that he can turn the program around and make it a contender in the tough AAC conference.

“I believe in what we’re doing here,” Jankovich said. “I believe in our players, our staff and our university. I’m excited to get to work and start building something special.”

Jankovich’s coaching staff

In addition to Jankovich, the SMU men’s Basketball Coaching Staff will include associate head coach Tim Fuller, assistant coaches K.T. Turner and Rodney Terry, and director of operations Jared Guinn.

Jankovich’s family

Tim Jankovich, who has served as SMU’s head men’s basketball coach since 2016, has been named the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Coach of the Year.

Jankovich, who is from Joliet, Illinois, is married to the former Jill Haberstroh. The couple have three children: Timmy, Molly and Katie.

Jankovich’s players

Tim Jankovich was officially named the head men’s basketball coach at Southern Methodist University on Monday, April 4th.

Jankovich has been coaching basketball for over three decades, with his most recent position being Head Coach of the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.

During his time coaching the Legends, Jankovich led the team to two consecutive playoff appearances. Prior to his coaching career in the NBA, Jankovich was the head men’s basketball coach at Illinois State University from 2007 to 2011.

At ISU, Jankovich compiled a record of 72-64 (.529) and guided the Redbirds to consecutive Missouri Valley Conference regular season titles in 2010 and 2011. He was named MVC Coach of the Year in 2010 after leading Illinois State to a school-record 29 wins and a berth in the NCAA Tournament

Jankovich has also served as an Assistant Coach at the University of Kansas where he helped lead the Jayhawks to four straight NCAA Final Fours from 1991 to 1994, and at Pepperdine University.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to be named the head men’s Basketball Coach at SMU,” said Jankovich in a statement released by SMU athletics. “I want to thank President Geoffrey Orsak, Director of Athletics Rick Hart, and everyone associated with SMU for this wonderful opportunity.”

Jankovich’s fans

Jankovich’s fans are looking forward to him becoming the new head basketball coach of SMU.

Tim Jankovich Named SMU Basketball Head Coach