SHREVEPORT, La. – Jason Schmitz has been named the 10th head coach in Ladies Basketball history. Interim Director of Athletics and Recreation Marcus Manning announced the news on Friday, October 12.
"In Jason, we have identified a proven recruiter who has the ability to develop student-athletes on and off the court and a person who wants to integrate with the campus and Shreveport-Bossier communities," said Manning. "We are excited to welcome Jason to the Centenary team."
Schmitz comes to Shreveport after serving this past summer as an assistant coach at Michigan Technological University, an NCAA Division II institution in the upper peninsula of Michigan. In his short time with the Huskies, he was tasked with developing a budget, scheduling exhibition contests, and assisting with the planning and coordination of new offensive and defensive schemes for the 2018-19 season. He also helped with recruiting and was responsible for the development and growth of the Michigan Tech Women's Basketball social media presence.
"I'm ecstatic to be named the head women's basketball coach at Centenary College," said Schmitz. "I'm incredibly appreciative of athletic director Marcus Manning, President Holoman, and the rest of the selection committee for trusting me with leading the program. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to be a collegiate head coach, and I could not be happier that it is here. Centenary is a special place with a special group of players, faculty, and staff, and I'm fired up to work side by side with such a passionate group of individuals. To the players, I can't wait to get to work and see where this program can go: October 15 cannot come soon enough!"
Prior to his tenure in Michigan, he served four seasons as the assistant women's basketball coach at his alma mater, the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. With the Marauders, he was responsible for assisting with all aspects of the program. Those duties included producing and implementing game plans, player development, recruiting, game management, schedule construction, and budget, travel, and camp coordination. In his coaching duties, Schmitz specifically served as a defensive specialist.
In his tenure with the Marauders, Schmitz helped mentor All-American and Northern Sun single-season scoring record holder Brittany Dietz. U-Mary also claimed Northern Sun Freshman of the Year and DII Bulletin All-Freshman team honoree Gabbie Bohl.
Schmitz received his first head coaching experience as the girls head coach at Oakes High School (2013-14) and Gila Ridge High School (2014). As an assistant coach at Oakes for 2012-13, he also served as interim athletic director. Before serving as an athletic director and assistant girls basketball coach at Wilton-Wing Co-Op in 2011-2012, he began his coaching career as an assistant boys basketball coach at St. Mary's Central High School from 2003-2006.
After Schmitz graduated from the University of Mary with a degree in social behavioral science education in 2008, he attended graduate school at Worcester State College. Schmitz coached as a graduate assistant for baseball for 2008-09 before serving as the graduate assistant to the athletic director for 2009-2010. Schmitz obtained his graduate degree from Worcester State in 2010 in secondary education.
The 2018-19 Ladies Basketball teams kicks off the season against Hardin-Simmons on Homecoming November 10 at the Gold Dome. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
