Wichita State assistant Chris Jans takes Bowling Green job

Wichita State associate head coach Chris Jans has accepted the head coaching job at Bowling Green, according to several published sources, including USA Today.

Jans joined the Wichita State staff in 2007 with coach Gregg Marshall and, along with director of operations Dominic Okon, are the lone remaining staff members from the original staff. Marshall promoted him to associate head coach in 2011.

In practices, Jans was the most prominent voice, behind Marshall’s, and ran practices when Marshall was absent. On the bench, Jans handled defensive matchups. He is the recruiter credited with finding Shocker sophomore Ron Baker and pushing for Marshall to take a strong look at him during the 2011 Class 4A tournament. Baker played for Scott City, which won the title.

“Chris has been very instrumental in our success,” Marshall said in 2011. “There are many times when I have leaned on his knowledge and expertise. As a former head coach, he understands and has helped in some of the big decisions that come out of this office.”

Bowling Green fired coach Louis Orr after seven seasons earlier this month. He went 101-121 at Bowling Green and played in the NIT in 2009 and the CollegeInsider.com Tournament in 2012.

Bowling Green has made four NCAA Tournament appearances, most recently in 1968.

Jans did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Marshall is looking for an assistant coach for the fourth straight off-season. Chad Dollar and Marty Gross left in 2011and were replaced by Greg Heiar and Dana Ford. Ford left for Illinois State after the 2012 season and K.T. Turner replaced him. Turner went to SMU after the 2012-13 season, leading Marshall to hire Steve Forbes.

This story was originally published March 23, 2014 at 9:07 PM with the headline "Wichita State assistant Chris Jans takes Bowling Green job."