JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Jason Shay has officially been named the next head coach of the East Tennessee State University men’s basketball team.
ETSU announced Wednesday night that Shay will replace Steve Forbes, who left last week to become the head coach at Wake Forest.
Shay was named interim head coach following Forbes’s departure.
“I am humbled, excited and thankful for this opportunity with Dr. Noland and Scott Carter entrusting me to be the leader of the ETSU men’s basketball program,” Shay said in a news release. “I understand the expectations and standards that have been built for the men’s basketball program, and guarantee I am going to give my very best every day. I am proud to be the head coach at East Tennessee State University.”
New Mexico State coach Chris Jans was also a candidate in ETSU’s coaching search, but he announced Wednesday evening that he will remain at NMSU.
Shay has served as an assistant coach for the Buccaneers since 2015, when he joined the program along with former head coach Forbes. The duo previously worked together at Northwest Florida State College and the University of Tennessee.
After leaving ETSU for Wake Forest last week, Forbes recommended Shay as his replacement.
Before coming to Johnson City, Shay spent two seasons as an assistant coach at North Dakota State.
The ETSU men’s basketball went 30-4 this season and clinched the Southern Conference regular season and tournament titles.
