Alonzo Jamison, a starter on the KU team that played in the 1991 national title game, was named Bethel's new head coach Friday in an announcement by Bethel athletics director Kent Allshouse.
Jamison was promoted just one day after two-time Bethel coach Mark Yoder resigned to pursue further education. Jamison had served as an assistant under Yoder since 2008.
“I am grateful that the Bethel College administration has given me this opportunity,” Jamison said. “A big thanks goes out to Coach Yoder for leading the program in the right way.”
“Bethel is extremely blessed to have someone of Alonzo Jamison’s caliber poised to take over the program,” Allshouse said. “I am extremely pleased that Alonzo has accepted the position and I am excited to watch Alonzo guide his program to great success.”
Jamison said that he'd borrow from every coach he's ever played for – from junior high through the NBA – because they all shaped him, both as a player and as a person.
He admitted, though, that if things work out, his teams will bear more than a passing resemblance to Roy Williams' Kansas teams. They'll be predicated on two keys Williams preached.
“Teamwork and defense wins games. Everyone can score in college, but it takes a special player to know their role on their team,” Jamison said. “My team will be defense-oriented.”
Jamison played for Williams from 1989-1992, but he earned his place in Jayhawk postseason lore with an other-worldly NCAA tournament in 1991.
The Santa Ana, CA., native averaged 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game that season, but it was his outstanding defensive play and timely shot-making in tournament wins over Bob Knight's Indiana Hoosiers and Nolan Richardson's loaded Arkansas Razorbacks that got KU to the final and earned him regional MOP honors. Dick Vitale named him to his “All-Rambo” team for his smothering defense.
The Jayhawks lost to Duke in the national championship game, 72-65.
Before joining the Bethel staff, Jamison served as a varsity assistant coach and junior varsity head coach at Mill Valley High School in Desoto, KS.