BOCA RATON, Fla. — Four days after Dusty May left Florida Atlantic for Michigan, Florida Atlantic has its new head basketball coach.
FAU on Wednesday night announced the hire of Baylor assistant John Jakus as the next coach of the Owls.
Jakus signed his agreement Wednesday night and will be officially introduced during a news conference Friday at the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena, the school announced in a news release.
"When we began this search, we spoke to coaches, athletic directors, administrators, scouts and agents, and the name that kept coming up with glowing reviews was John Jakus," FAU athletic director Brian White said in a statement. "He checks so many boxes in what we're looking for to enhance and build on the momentum in our program. His pedigree, learning from two of the greatest coaches in the game today, is unmatched."
Jakus was at Baylor for seven seasons under Scott Drew, helping the Bears win a national championship in 2021, and before that worked as director of operations at Gonzaga under Mark Few.
He replaces May, who was hired by Michigan after leading FAU to consecutive NCAA tournament appearances — highlighted by a Final Four run in 2023 — for the first time in school history.
Jakus said in a statement that he's "honored and humbled to be the head coach at Florida Atlantic University."
"This program has been in such great hands, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for what Dusty May, his staff and the players have accomplished," Jakus said. "FAU has been one of the best teams in the nation the last two years and I am so fortunate to carry on that tradition."
FAU has won 60 games over the last two seasons. Only Houston (65), defending national champion Connecticut (64) and Purdue (60) have as many wins as the Owls since the start of last season.