McLean County Times

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State head men's basketball coach Ryan Pedon has announced two promotions within his staff. Jason Slay has been elevated to Associate Head Coach, and Jack Betz to Director of Basketball Operations.

Slay is entering his second season with the Redbirds after a tenure at Youngstown State, where he served as associate head coach from 2017-21. His coaching career also includes positions at Virginia Military Institute (2015-17), East Tennessee State (2014-15), Tennessee State (2013-14), and Georgia Southern (2012-13) as director of basketball operations.

"I am thrilled to announce the promotion of Jason Slay," said Pedon. "Jason has made a major impact on our program in a very short time, and he has been impressive in all areas he has touched within our program. Jason is extremely well-rounded as an assistant coach, and I plan on utilizing his skills to our program's advantage as his roles expand further within our program. Jason, his wife Brittany, and their daughter Kaylyn are very special people and we are thankful to have them as part of the Redbird basketball program."

Slay began his coaching career at West Virginia State, his alma mater, where he earned an undergraduate degree in general education. He comes from a basketball family; his older brother Tamar played at Marshall and in the NBA for the New Jersey Nets after being drafted in the second round, while his cousin Ron played for Tennessee and reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2000.

Betz is entering his third season at Illinois State after spending two seasons as a graduate manager with the Redbirds. Before joining Illinois State, he was a four-year student-manager with Ohio State and co-head manager during the 2021-22 season.

"I am also excited about the promotion of Jack Betz within our program," said Pedon. "Jack's role as Director of Basketball Operations will be integral to the growth of our program moving forward. In two years as a graduate manager, Jack assisted in all areas of our program and did an outstanding job. He has a bright future in our profession, and we are so happy to have him as a Redbird."

During Betz's time at Ohio State, the Buckeyes achieved an 82-47 record over four seasons with three trips to the NCAA Tournament; they only missed out due to the COVID-cancelled 2019 season. He worked with NBA players Duane Washington Jr., E.J. Liddell, and Malaki Branham.

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