Head Coach
Jay Ladner
Coach data is provided for recruiting research and should be confirmed with the official athletics website before contact.
Basketball Staff Contacts
Verified 2026-08-15 from this program's own staff page. Staff change during the recruiting cycle, so confirm before sending outreach.
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Jay Ladner | Head Coach | jay.ladner@usm.edu |
| Noah Croak | Assistant Coach | noah.croak@usm.edu |
| Win Case | Assistant Coach | winfred.case@usm.edu |
| Bryce Garris | Assistant Coach | bryce.garris@usm.edu |
| Ben Mandelbaum | Assistant Coach | ben.mandelbaum@usm.edu |
| Garland Wilson | Director of Operations | garland.wilson@usm.edu |
| Jeremy Tekulve | Administrative Assistant | jeremy.tekulve@usm.edu |
| Shawn Spenard | Athletic Trainer / Men's Basketball | shawn.spenard@usm.edu |
| Jack MacDonald | Assistant Athletic Director for Communications (Men's Basketball, Football Secondary, Women's Golf) | jack.macdonald@usm.edu |
About Southern Miss Golden Eagles Basketball
Southern Miss Golden Eagles competes in D1 men's basketball within the Sun Belt Conference. Head coach Jay Ladner leads a staff that actively scouts exposure events and evaluates recruit film throughout the year. Getting on this program's radar means having your academic eligibility certified and your highlight film circulating at the right tournaments.
Learn how to get recruited to play college basketball and what D1 coaches need to see before making contact. A strong highlight film is often your first introduction to a staff.
What Recruits Should Know About Targeting Southern Miss Golden Eagles
D1 coaches build rosters through consistent evaluation of film, in-person scouting at exposure events, and referrals from trusted coaching networks. Getting on Southern Miss Golden Eagles's radar requires more than sending a generic email. It means having your film, eligibility paperwork, and academic transcripts ready before you make first contact.
Players who receive roster consideration at the D1 level demonstrate improvement over time, not just raw talent at a single event. A structured development program that tracks your progress and connects you with the right coaches can significantly accelerate your recruiting timeline.
Strength and Conditioning for the D1 Level
Body development is one of the most overlooked factors in college recruiting. D1 coaches won't offer a player whose physical profile can't hold up to a 30-game college season. FCP's post-graduate program includes a dedicated strength and conditioning track that prepares players for the physical demands of college basketball, and shows up on film in ways that matter to coaches at programs like Southern Miss Golden Eagles.
Our Spartan Training Center gives players access to professional-grade facilities and programming designed specifically for basketball performance at the college level. Apply to FCP and start building the physical foundation Southern Miss Golden Eagles's coaches want to see.
Whether you're a current high school player exploring options through our high school program or a graduate looking for a post-grad year, FCP provides the coaching, competition, and college placement support to help you reach programs like Southern Miss Golden Eagles.
Targeting Southern Miss Golden Eagles?
FCP coaches understand what D1 programs like Southern Miss Golden Eagles look for in a recruit. We build players' film, exposure, and eligibility profiles to match exactly what coaches at this level need to see before making an offer.
Coaching contacts compiled by the FCP recruiting staff. Cost and graduation figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-08-13.