Jason Crafton served as the head coach at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore from 2019 to 2024.
Under Crafton, the 2022-23 squad finished 18-13, leading to the program’s best win percentage (.581) in 50 years and the most wins in a season of Crafton’s coaching career. The team set the school records in steals (345) and steals-per-game (11.1). Their per-game clip ranked #1 in the nation this season, while the team also ranked #1 nationally in turnovers forced per contest (19.0). Crafton guided the Hawks to a 10-3 record at William P. Hytche Athletic Center, the best home mark for the program since the 1973-74 season. The team also logged significant non-conference wins at Temple on December 20 and Columbia on December 28. The Hawks finished the first half of MEAC play at 6-1, the best Division I record to open league play in 50 years. Under Crafton, forward Nathaniel Pollard Jr. was named to the All-MEAC Second Team and guard Zion Styles received All-MEAC Third Team and All-Defensive Team honors. Pollard was also named to the 2023 HBCU All-Star Game in Houston, Texas. Crafton was named a finalist for the Ben Jobe Coach of the Year award, recognizing the top Division I minority coach annually.
Under Crafton, Maryland Eastern Shore recorded double-digit victories in the 2021-22 season while securing its first postseason appearance since the 2014 season. Crafton guided the Hawks to one of the biggest wins in program history, a victory over Atlantic 10 opponent Fordham on the road in double-overtime. The 2021-22 Hawks boasted one of the top defenses in the country, ranking fifth in the nation in steals-per-game and 10th in turnovers forced while boasting the second-best scoring defense in the MEAC. Guard Da'Shawn Phillip earned All-MEAC Third Team, forward Nate Pollard Jr. was named to the All-Defensive Team and guard Chace Davis was a member of the All-Rookie squad, marking the first time the Hawks had three postseason award winners in several seasons.
The Hawks opted out of competition during the 2020-21 year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team still saw two players, Jahmal Wright and Walter Prevost, graduate at the end of the school year.
During the 2019-20 season, which was Crafton's first with the Hawks, the team set a team school record for blocks with 102. The squad also finished 4th in the MEAC in scoring defense as they allowed less than 69 points per game in conference play. After the season, The Shore had one all-conference player as Da'Shawn Phillip was named to the All-Rookie team after his freshman campaign.
Crafton was announced as the head coach of the men's basketball program on April 24, 2019.
The 20-year-veteran of coaching spent the 2018-19 season in the NBA ranks as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers' G-League affiliate Delaware Blue Coats. Prior to that, he was the head coach at his alma mater, Nyack College from 2012-18. He spent the beginning of his career as an assistant at the United States Naval Academy and Villanova University.
In the Spring of 2012, Crafton inherited a major rebuilding project, taking over a Warrior program which produced a 1-26 record the year prior to his arrival and was ranked 276 out of 277 NCAA Division II programs. In his second season, he propelled the Warriors to one of the best turnarounds in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC).
By the 2015-16 season the Warriors 11-15 record marked as the programs best since 2009. The Warriors also achieved 22 conference wins between 2013-2016, it's best 3-year span in several years. In the three seasons prior to Coach Crafton's arrival, the Warriors had only won a total of 9 conference games.
Throughout his tenure, the Warriors made a name for themselves on the defensive end. In 2016, Nyack ranked 11th in the nation in turnovers forced per game. In that same year, the Warriors were rated the 31st Most Efficient Man-to-Man Defensive Team in the country by Synergy Sports Technology. The 2015 squad led the league in steals per game while the 2018 team finished with a zone defense that was rated in the top 10 percent nationally by Synergy.
Prior to Nyack, Crafton was Associate head coach at the U.S. Naval Academy for two seasons under then head coach Billy Lange. Before that, he was an assistant coach for the Midshipmen from 2005 to 2010 also under Lange who is now the St. Joseph's University head coach.
He began his college coaching career as video coordinator for two seasons at Villanova under head coach Jay Wright (2003-05). While working at Villanova, he helped mentor two future NBA guards: All-Star Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors) and Randy Foye (Brooklyn Nets).
While at Navy, Crafton was instrumental in developing Greg Sprink (2008 Patriot League Player of the Year) and J.J. Avila (2011 Patriot League Rookie of the Year and recent NBDL forward for the Windy City Bulls). At Nyack, he spearheaded the development of Nick Moore and Chris Hampton. Both players earned CACC All-Conference accolades and earned professional contracts overseas after graduating in 2016.
In 2018, Crafton worked with the Blue Coats to help instill similar philosophies as the parent club, the 76ers, while also maintaining a developmental mindset. The energetic coach played an integral role and took every opportunity to contribute in all phases of the program as well as use the experience to broaden his coaching knowledge, at different times throughout the season serving as Offensive and Defensive Coordinator as well as Director of Player Development. He assisted with the on-court development of multiple players who became contributors to the 76ers including 2018 first-round pick Zhaire Smith.
Crafton also maintained his connection to the college game after leaving Nyack. During the summer of 2018, Crafton was selected to serve as the head coach of the Athletes in Action Team comprised of Division I and II players that traveled to New Zealand. The squad finished 7-1 against National Club and professional teams, but also conducted clinics and performed mission work in local communities.
The former Warrior was a member of the Nyack College basketball team from 1999-2003 and served as team captain during his junior and senior seasons. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communications in 2003.
He also had a stint as the Video Coordinator for USA Basketball's Under 21 Trials in 2004 under head coach Kelvin Sampson, who is now the head coach of the University of Houston.
What they are Saying:
"Jason has an incredible work ethic and his energy level and passion for the players is special. His dynamic experiences as a Division I assistant along with his time as a head coach at an early age has helped him become one of the top young coaches in the game."
— St. Joseph's head coach Billy Lange
"The Villanova family is happy for Jason and for The University of Maryland Eastern Shore. It's a great fit. Jason's vision, passion and teaching skills will create immediate energy and competitiveness as he builds a successful program."
— Villanova head coach Jay Wright
"Jason is a talented coach who made significant contributions to the Delaware Blue Coats organization, including the development of some of our team's dynamic and promising young players. We are proud of the strides the 76ers and Blue Coats organizations have made in cultivating the next generation of elite coaches and wish Jason much success at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore."
— 76ers General Manager Elton Brand
