Cornell promoted longtime assistant coach and current associate head coach Jon Jaques to become the men's basketball program's next head coach, the school announced Friday.
A former Cornell player, Jaques spent 12 years as an assistant at his alma mater and also worked as a graduate assistant for Kyle Smith at Columbia. He has been the school's associate head coach since 2022, bringing a depth of experience in the Ivy League during his tenure.
"Jon's is an incredible Cornell story -- from recruit, to scout team player, team captain and starter on a Sweet 16 team, to alumnus, assistant, and finally associate head coach," Cornell athletic director Nicki Moore said in a statement. "But his narrative isn't why we make this announcement today. In every conversation we've had about this program, it became increasingly clear that Jon's experiences and preparation have led him to this moment.
"In a very impressive field of candidates, he set himself apart as the right person at the right time to lead Cornell men's basketball."
Jaques takes over for Brian Earl, who left to take the head-coaching job at William & Mary.
Jaques played a key role in recruiting and building the roster for this season's Cornell team, which finished 22-8 and 11-3 in the Ivy League. Cornell finished second in the conference in 2023-24 and fourth the past two seasons, which qualified the Red for the four-team Ivy basketball tournament.
"I am incredibly grateful and excited for the opportunity to serve as the Robert E. Gallagher '44 head men's basketball coach at Cornell University," Jaques said. "On and off the court, this community and program have given me many of my most cherished memories, experiences, relationships, and life lessons."
Jaques was a captain and starter on the school's Sweet 16 team in 2010 as a senior. He moonlighted as a blogger for The New York Times during his time as a student-athlete at Cornell.
On the team that reached the third round of the NCAA tournament, Jaques emerged as one of the program's feel-good stories. He had barely played any meaningful minutes in his first three years, but seized an opportunity when an injury opened up a starting job.
He averaged 6.7 points per game as a senior and hit 45% of his 3-pointers. That came after scoring just 33 points over his first three seasons with the program.
Jaques, a native of Southern California, quickly turned to coaching after playing. He has been at Cornell as an assistant since 2013, spanning the tenures of Bill Courtney and Earl.
Jaques has played a key role in many aspects of the program, including improving offensive efficiency, opponent scouting and individual player development. Cornell has gone 54-30 over the past three seasons, with a 31-4 record at home.
Cornell finished No. 9 in the country in effective field goal percentage this season and No. 2 in 2-point percentage.