Jauch Tabbed to Lead Forester Men’s Basketball
Huntington University is excited to announce the hiring of Jared Jauch as the new head coach of the Forester men’s basketball team. The announcement comes after a national search that drew a competitive and talented pool of candidates. The ideal fit, however, was already home — Jauch has been a key part of the program for the past five seasons, most recently serving as associate head coach.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be named the head men’s basketball coach at Huntington University,” said Jauch. “This is a special place with a rich tradition, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead a program that aligns so closely with my values. My commitment is to develop young men both on and off the court — to help them grow as athletes, as students and as followers of Christ. Faith will be at the center of everything we do, and I look forward to building a culture of excellence, accountability and Christ-like leadership.
“I want to thank Coach Kory Alford for his mentorship over the last five years and the foundation he laid here, Athletic Director Lori Culler for her support and trust and President-Elect Dr. Rob Pepper for his commitment to excellence in athletics and faith-based education. I also want to thank the alumni base and current roster for their continued support throughout this process.”
Beyond those directly involved in this new chapter, Jauch is deeply grateful to the many coaches and mentors who have shaped him along the way. “I would also like to express my gratitude to all the coaches who have played a part in my journey from the time I was a little kid to now. Thank you to my dad, my grandfather, Coach Rocco and the entire Rocco family, Coach Platt, Coach Mawdesley, Coach Patterson, Coach Young, Coach Brown, Coach Delaney, the Alford family and so many others who have invested in me and mentored me over the years — it’s meant the world to me.”
Athletic Director Lori Culler praised the appointment, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Jared as our new head men’s basketball coach. He brings knowledge of the program, a tremendous basketball mind and a proven ability to develop student-athletes both on and off the court. His deep commitment to fostering spiritual growth and serving as a Christ-centered leader on our campus makes him an ideal fit for our mission and community.”
Jauch’s impact on the program over the past five years has been far-reaching. He has been instrumental in all aspects of the team’s operations, with a notable emphasis on defense the last two seasons. Under his two-year leadership, the Foresters climbed from 81st to 17th in the Massey Ratings for adjusted defensive efficiency.
Additional highlights of Jauch’s tenure include:
- Spearheading recruiting efforts, bringing in nine Indiana Top-50 recruits
- Overseeing analytics and opponent scouting
- Helping the team secure 110 victories, including 19 against Top 25 opponents
- Guiding the Foresters to four straight NAIA National Tournament appearances, including the program’s first national tournament win since the 2005-2006 season
- Mentoring two players who now rank in the top five on HU’s all-time scoring list, each surpassing 2,000 career points
- Coaching players who on four occasions earned NAIA All-American praises and 18 All-Conference accolades including Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year designations
Before coming to Huntington, Jauch played collegiately at Covenant College, where he was a four-year member of the basketball program. A team captain in his final two seasons, he helped lead Covenant to two USA South regular season titles, including a program-best 16 league wins in 2018-2019. He also gained early coaching experience as a student assistant during his junior year after a season-ending injury.
In addition to his leadership on the court, Jauch excelled in the classroom, earning USA South All-Academic Team honors three times. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in sports administration from Covenant and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Huntington.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JARED JAUCH
“Jared’s strong alignment with our mission and his dedication to both faith development and athletic excellence truly set him apart in a highly competitive search. His experience as part of the Forester basketball coaching staff, along with his background as a student-athlete at Covenant College, has uniquely equipped him for this role. I am confident the team will continue to thrive — both on the court and in character — under his leadership.”
— Dr. Rob Pepper, President-Elect, Huntington University
“I had the privilege of working alongside Coach Jauch for five seasons, and in that time, I watched him grow into one of the most talented young coaches in the game. His basketball mind is elite, his work ethic is unmatched and his ability to lead young men both on and off the court is truly special. Huntington University is getting a tremendous leader who will honor the tradition of Forester basketball and push it to new heights. The Huntington community should be excited for what’s ahead.”
— Kory Alford, Associate Head Coach, Oral Roberts University
“Jared is a leader of men with strong faith and character. He has a relentless work ethic, infectious energy and elite competitive spirit. He comes from a family of high-level coaches and there is no doubt he is ready for this opportunity. The Foresters got a good one!”
— Neal Young, Former Head Coach, Covenant College
