Jason Karys is entering his third season as an assistant coach with the Stonehill College men's basketball program as the program enters its third season at the Division I level in 2024-25.
Karys was elevated to a full-time assistant coach in his second season on head coach Chris Kraus’ coaching staff in 2022-23 after serving as a volunteer assistant for Stonehill during the 2021-22 season. He assisted the Skyhawks coaching staff in evaluating and recruiting multiple high school, prep and transfer prospects, ran skill development workouts and prepared opponent scouting reports.
Prior to joining Stonehill, Karys spent four years on the coaching staff at Division I Valparaiso University in Indiana, his alma mater, with head coach Matt Lottich. Karys got his start as a graduate assistant for two years, before being elevated to director of basketball operations from 2019-2021. In his latter role, Karys managed the team’s travel, recruiting and equipment budget, created multimedia recruiting content and directed Valpo Basketball Summer Camps. Karys also gained valuable experience breaking down game film for scouting reports, recruiting and team improvement. He led individual skill workouts and organized and contributed to the coaching staff’s recruiting database.
During his first seasons as a full-time member of the Valpo basketball staff in 2019-20, the team finished with the program’s highest conference win total, highest overall win total and highest finish in the league standings since joining the Missouri Valley Conference. The season culminated with a run to the MVC title game that saw Valpo become the first team in the 30-year history of Arch Madness to reach the final after playing in the opening round.
Karys, a native of Newton, Massachusetts, earned dual degrees from Valparaiso, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in sports management in 2017 and then a Master of Science degree in sports administration in 2019. He was a walk-on member of the men’s basketball team for Coach Lottich for the 2016-17 season as Valpo posted a 24-9 record, including 14-4 in the Horizon League, before earning a spot in the NIT. He served the first three seasons as team manager for the men’s basketball program.
“Jason spent the past season with us as a volunteer and showed me how valuable he was to our program and staff,” said Kraus. “When the decision came for an open position it was a no brainer for me. He has an incredible work ethic, is extremely loyal and really impressed me with his basketball thoughts both on and off the floor. He will continue to make our program better and I am thrilled that he will be part of this Division I transition.”
