JOPLIN, Mo. – Missouri Southern men's basketball head coach Sam McMahon announced Wednesday that Jason Owens has been promoted to Associate Head Coach.
 
"Jason has been a tremendous asset to our program since we both started here at MSSU four years ago," McMahon said of elevating Owens. "He is a very loyal coach who is great at creating relationships with our players and staff. He deserves this opportunity, and I know he will continue to help our program grow both on and off the basketball court."
 
With Owens on staff, the Lions made an appearance in the MIAA Championship Semifinals this past March after finishing the 2025-26 season with an 18-13 overall record. The 18 wins were the most for Missouri Southern since the 2019-20 season, when the Lions went 23-8. Gavyn Elkamil, Colin Ruffin and Jaden Taylor were each named to the All-MIAA Honorable Mention Team.
 
In his four seasons with the Lions, Owens has coached 11 All-MIAA selections. Missouri Southern has also recorded 17 or more wins twice during that span.
 
Owens joined the Missouri Southern coaching staff after spending two seasons at Missouri State University-West Plains, where he helped lead the Grizzlies to a 13-9 record in his first season.
 
Prior to MSU-West Plains, Owens served as an assistant coach at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau under head coach Rick Ray.
 
Owens previously spent two seasons at Pittsburg State University, helping the Gorillas post back-to-back winning seasons while mentoring four All-MIAA student-athletes.
 
Prior to his time at Pittsburg State, Owens spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Moberly Area Community College under head coach Pat Smith. During his tenure, the Greyhounds compiled a 72-26 record, captured NJCAA Region 16 and District 5 titles, and advanced to the NJCAA Sweet 16 during the 2015-16 season. Owens also helped 24 Moberly student-athletes advance to play at the NCAA Division I or Division II level.
 
Owens began his coaching career as an assistant at Neosho County Community College in Kansas before returning to his alma mater, Siena Heights University, where he served as an assistant coach from 2007-10. During his time at Siena Heights, he coached four NAIA All-Americans and helped lead the Saints to a 44-20 record.
 
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Owens played four seasons at Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan, where he earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies in 2006. He was also a two-year team captain and an all-conference selection for the Saints.