College Basketball: Ranking the top coaching moves of 2017-18 offseason

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 05: Georgetown University athletic director Lee Reed introduces NBA Hall of Famer and former Georgetown Hoyas player Patrick Ewing as the Georgetown Hoyas' new head basketball coach at John Thompson Jr. Athletic Center on April 5, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

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TULSA, OK – MARCH 17: The New Mexico State Aggies mascot looks on in the first half against the Baylor Bears during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 17, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

No. 17 Chris Jans to New Mexico State

With the departure of Paul Weir to the New Mexico Lobos, the New Mexico State Aggies needed to make a good, experienced hire to keep the basketball program on the right path. They did so when they hired Chris Jans.

Jans has coached all over the country as both an assistant and head coach. He was an assistant for Elmhurst, Grand View, Idaho, Illinois State, and Wichita State, while he spent time as a head coach for Kirkwood Community College, Independence Community College, Howard Junior College, Chipola College, and Bowling Green.

Last season, NMSU finished second in the WAC regular season standings, but won the WAC Tournament and earned a trip to the 2017 NCAA Tournament. They would lose to the No. 3 seeded Baylor Bears, but the accomplishment was impressive.

The Aggies have been to the NCAA Tournament six times in the last eight seasons, so this is a top mid-major in college basketball. Jans has to keep them playing at this level.

It should be noted that Jans was fired from Bowling Green for violating a morals clause in his contract, as he was filmed while drunk acting inappropriately towards women at a bar close to campus. If he has turned his life around, this hire is great. If not, Paul Weir’s departure could do far more damage to the program than just a year or so of transition.

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