Arizona Christian University President Len Munsil and Vice-President for Athletics Don Mitchell announce the hiring of Jake Deer as the Firestorm’s head women’s basketball coach. Deer will be responsible for leading the Firestorm women’s basketball team into their second season as a member of the prestigious Golden State Athletics Conference. Deer most recently served as head men’s basketball coach at Florida Christian College in Kissimmee from 2007-13.
"We are excited about the work ethic and commitment to excellence Jake Deer brings to our program," said President Munsil. "But even more importantly, Jake believes in building Christ-like character in his players. His leadership in developing the "Hoops on the Rez" program to introduce Christ to Arizona’s White Mountain Apache community through basketball shows how athletics can bring glory to God."
Coach Deer commented, "I’m excited to join the ACU team at such a great time in its history. This has been a door that God has opened, and I look forward to embracing the challenges that lie ahead."
During Deer’s six seasons as men’s basketball coach at Florida Christian College, he coached three National Christian College Athletics Association (NCCAA) All-America second team selections, nine NCCAA South Region All-Conference picks, seven NCCAA All-South Region Tournament selections, and six NCCAA National Players of the Week. Deer led FCC to an Elite Eight berth in the 2012 NCCAA Division II National Tournament, the school’s first-ever NCCAA national tournament appearance, and a Final Four appearance in the 2013 NCCAA Tournament, the school’s second consecutive NCCAA Tournament appearance.
Last season, Deer guided FCC to a 26-10 record, the most wins and best record in school history, and a number two ranking in the NCCAA Division II national poll, in Nov., 2012, FCC’s highest ranking ever. Deer received NCCAA Division II South Region Coach of the Year honors.
Florida Christian won the NCCAA South Region Championship in 2012, and received the number one overall seed in the NCCAA South Region conference tournament in 2011, as Florida Christian won 20 games (21-12) for the first time in school history.
Florida Christian men’s basketball also prospered academically under Deer’s direction from 2007-13, graduating 90 per cent of the players who completed four years of eligibility.
Deer, who conducts individual workouts for select international (professional), D-League, and NCAA Division I and II players, and was part of the Nike Clinic Demonstrating team for Ed Janka, the Director of Nike Basketball, in 2010 and 2011. He also worked as clinician for the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches and directed the SUNS Basketball Camps in 2012. Deer also worked as an assistant director for the Southeastern University Nike Basketball Camps in the summers of 2010 and 2011, and served as a volunteer for the Fellowship of Christian Athletics Basketball Camps in the summers of 2009 and 2010.
Deer also held the position of Executive Director of Admissions at Florida Christian from 2008-11, and under his leadership, FCC attained record enrollment for seven consecutive semesters and grew in total enrollment by 65 per cent in three years. He also served FCC at interim Assistant Athletics Director in 2012-13, and as Athletics Director in 2007-08, when FCC added four more intercollegiate sports programs.
Since 2004, Deer also has served as Co-Director for "Hoops on the Rez," a program of the Apache Youth Ministries in Whiteriver, Arizona. He is responsible for recruiting and training a staff of 30 for the ministry’s summer outreach camp, which serves 150 campers, and assists in fundraising for the ministry’s necessary operational expenses.
Deer’s coaching experience began soon after graduation when he was appointed Assistant Basketball Coach for Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, Florida, where he worked in 2004-05. He then spent two seasons (2005-07) as assistant basketball coach for Alchesay High School in Whiteriver, and helped AHS win the 2-A East Conference championship and an Elite Eight state tournament appearance. He also served as a substitute teacher at Alchesay for one year. Deer’s first head coaching position began in 2007, when he was appointed to lead Florida Christian’s men’s basketball team.
Deer earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Leadership from Florida Christian College in 2004, and was voted "Son of FCC" by his peers for "most embodying the ideals and spirit of the college" academically, athletically and in campus life. He also received the "Sunburst Award" for personal sacrifice and dedication to the college’s athletics and student life departments over a span of four years. He also oversaw campus apartments as a Resident Assistant in 2003 and 2004 and traveled for FCC’s New Life Team and served as team leader of a two-man recruitment team in the summer of 2003.
During his playing career at Florida Christian, Deer earned All-Florida first team and team Freshman of the Year honors in 2001, and All-NCCAA All-South Region second team and All-Florida first team honors in 2002. He also served as team captain for three seasons.
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