West Virginia University's men’s basketball team has welcomed a new assistant coach, Jase Herl, as announced by head coach Ross Hodge. With over 15 years of coaching experience, including a stint as interim head coach at Colorado State, Herl brings a wealth of knowledge and success to the program. His most recent role was at North Texas, where he contributed significantly to their achievements in the past two seasons, such as advancing to the semifinals of the NIT and securing numerous all-conference honors. Coach Hodge expressed excitement about Herl’s addition, praising his impact on both players and the overall program.
Jase Herl's journey in collegiate basketball coaching began at Colorado Mesa, his alma mater, shortly after graduating in 2010. There, he played a pivotal role in guiding the team to the NCAA Division II Tournament in 2011. Following this, he took on the challenge of being the inaugural head coach at Northwest Kansas Tech College in his hometown of Goodland, Kansas. Over three seasons, he led the Mavericks to an impressive 56 total wins, marking him as one of the most successful NJCAA head coaches under the age of 30 at that time.
Herl’s career then expanded to South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, where he served as an assistant coach. Under his guidance, the Texans achieved 21 wins and claimed 12 conference victories. Moving forward, he joined Colorado State as an assistant coach from 2016-18, eventually stepping into the role of interim head coach in 2018 at the young age of 30. During his tenure, he successfully led the Rams to victory against San Jose State in his debut game as interim head coach.
Prior to joining West Virginia University, Herl spent five seasons at Missouri State. His contributions were instrumental in helping the Bears secure 17 or more wins for each of the last three seasons, with a peak of 23 wins in 2021-22. At Missouri State, he also mentored 15 All-Missouri Valley Conference performers, contributing to the team's runner-up finish in 2022 and third-place finishes in 2019 and 2021.
In expressing his enthusiasm about joining WVU, Herl highlighted the prestigious history and unwavering support within the university community. He eagerly anticipates competing in the Big 12 conference, which he describes as a dream scenario for anyone in the profession. His aspirations align perfectly with the ambitions of coach Hodge and the entire staff at West Virginia University.
The hiring of Jase Herl signifies a strategic move by West Virginia University to bolster their men’s basketball program. His proven track record and leadership qualities promise to enhance the team's performance and elevate its standing within the competitive landscape of collegiate basketball.