Written by Spencer Aiello // Photo provided by Jeff Montgomery
Harding University recently announced the hiring of Weston Jameson as the new head coach of the men’s basketball program to replace former head coach Jeff Morgan.
Jameson graduated from Harding in 2014 after playing four years with the basketball team. Following graduation, he became the assistant coach under head coach Tim Kirby for the women’s basketball program from 2015 to 2020, helping to bring in 106 wins over those five seasons.
Jameson won two regular season conference championships, obtained one conference tournament championship, and appeared in the 2017 Division II Final Four with the Lady Bisons. He went on to be an assistant coach at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, before returning to Harding.
Morgan announced his retirement in February after three decades of coaching the men’s basketball team, paving the way for Jameson to enter the scene. A search party consisting of Morgan and seven others was assembled following the retirement to recruit the next head coach.
Morgan expressed his excitement about the team and what it will look like under Jameson.
“I think it’s going to be a fun group to watch,” Morgan said. “So I’m excited to watch.”
Jameson began his time as head coach on campus this past week. He met with the team and began to familiarize himself with the staff again.
“We met with the players individually,” Jameson said. “And really just wanted to get a baseline on where they were at and what their expectations were.”
Jameson shared his thoughts about the meetings and what the players felt.
“All of those meetings were really productive,” Jameson said. “Everyone was very excited, and we just hit the ground running.”
Redshirt freshman Keyln McBride said he thinks people will have a great reaction to the new brand of basketball that will be played under Jameson.
“I think that people will be a lot more excited about the games,” McBride said. “Having somebody new around and a new play style, get to winning games [so] there’s more people in the stands at our games.”
McBride described how he feels having a more personal connection with Jameson due to the way both he and Jameson played.
“Coach Jameson kind of had the same role that I had being a smaller guard in the conference and being able to play knowing the game,” McBride said. “I think that it was easy for me to talk to him, and he was able to understand me.”
As next year’s season approaches, many wait with anticipation and high hopes for a bright future with Jameson. Bradley Spencer was hired as the new assistant coach March 23.
