USM hires former longtime St. Stanislaus head coach to lead men’s basketball

HATTIESBURG, MS (WLOX) - A former longtime Coast head coach is returning to his alma mater.

The University of Southern Mississippi has hired Jay Ladner to be the their newest head men’s basketball coach, the school confirmed Wednesday night. Jeff Goodman of Stadium first reported the news. Ladner could not be reached for comment.

Ladner returns to Hattiesburg after five years as the head coach at Southeastern Louisiana, where he posted a 76-88 overall record. His time with the Lions includes the 2018 Southland Conference Championship and a trip to the NIT.

Prior to joining the Division I ranks, Ladner had brief head coaching stints at Oak Grove High School and Jones County Junior College, leading the Bobcats to their first-ever NJCAA National Championship in 2014.

His longest tenured position came with St. Stanislaus, coaching the Rock-A-Chaws for 20 years, including the 2011 MHSAA Class 4A State Championship.

A member of Southern Mississippi’s 1987 NIT Championship team, Ladner graduated from USM in 1988.

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