Photo by: Kevin Snyder/MSU Athletics
Jans Blazed His Own Path To The Bulldogs
April 01, 2022 | Men's Basketball
STARKVILLE – In many ways, Chris Jans' coaching career has mirrored his life in general.
Jans grew up in a trailer park in the small town of Fairbank, Iowa (population 1,111 according to the 2020 census). And while Jans has risen from his modest upbringing to a seven-figure salary as the new men's basketball coach at Mississippi State, he hasn't forgotten his roots and is proud of the path he has forged to get to where he is today.
"I come from humble beginnings," Jans said. "I was born and raised in a trailer park and I'm proud of it. I hope the people back in my hometown (are proud). There wasn't a fast-food joint within ten minutes. We didn't have any stoplights, but I'm proud of where I come from. I love visiting my home community, it means a lot to me. I went to a high school with four roads, and two of them were gravel. Some of my best friends in the world are the people I grew up with. Hopefully, they're proud of me and what we're doing."
Jans' coaching career has had a grassroots ascent as well. He spent 11 seasons of his now three-decade career coaching at places like Elmhurst College, Grand View College, Kirkwood Community College, Independence Community College, Howard College and Chipola College.
But whether it was NAIA, Division III, junior college or his tenure at mid-majors Idaho, Illinois State, Wichita State, Bowling Green and New Mexico State – one thing has remained the same. Jans has been able to win at every stop and on every level.
"I wouldn't trade my path for anyone's," Jans said. "It's made me who I am."
Jans posted a 159-45 record during his six years at the junior college level including winning a national championship and being named National Coach of the Year in 1998 while at Kirkwood. He guided New Mexico State to four Western Athletic Conference regular season championships, three WAC Tournament titles and led the Aggies to three NCAA appearances in the four years there was a postseason.
For his efforts, Jans was selected as the WAC Coach of the Year three times.
Jans has won 76.5 percent of his games as a Division I head coach, which ranks fourth among active coaches trailing only Gonzaga's Mark Few (83.7), Kansas' Bill Self (76.8) and Duke's Mike Kryzewski (76.6) in that category.
The 52-year old now plans to bring his winning brand of basketball to MSU and have the Bulldogs back dancing this time next season and for many years to come.
"We're not going to shy away from our goals," Jans said. "We want to be a perennial NCAA Tournament, March Madness team. Whether it's an automatic bid or an at-large bid, that's going to be one of our goals each and every season. It's certainly a goal heading into next year as well."
Jans' junior college roots taught him nearly every aspect of running a basketball program. He vividly remembers all those late-night postgame van rides and pulling into McDonald's and making sure his players and personnel didn't order anything extravagant so the team could stay within their shoestring budget.
"If we won, they could have a No. 1 or a No. 2 and an extra cheeseburger," Jans said. "If we lost, it might've only been a No. 1 or maybe even a kid's meal. That's just the way we did it. And I'd have to stand there as the head coach and make sure we were keeping it under budget with the meals.
"When you come up that way, you just appreciate it. I've been at a lot of places where we were the have nots. I don't feel that way anymore and am excited to have the resources that we have in order to do business the way that it needs to be done in a first-class manor."
When Jans and his wife, Sheri, toured MSU's facilities for the first time upon his arrival in Starkville, both were blown away by the assets and amenities they were inheriting by taking over the reins of a Southeastern Conference program.
"Even just walking through the Hump, my wife and I are just pinching ourselves because I've never been spoiled in that way," Jans said.
Climbing his way up each rung of the coaching ladder not only taught Jans the definition of hard work, but he also learned a lot about patience and perseverance. Those attributes along with all the basketball knowledge and experience he has received along the way will serve him well as he prepares to tackle his first Power 5 job.
"I was able to learn and make mistakes without the bright lights and big platforms as a young coach," Jans said. "It's a part of my journey. My blueprint is probably not one that young coaches look at me and say 'Yeah, I want to follow his path'. Where I've been and how many times I've moved and the places I've lived, there's plenty of other blueprints out there. But it's mine, and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've learned so much from so many."
Jans grew up in a trailer park in the small town of Fairbank, Iowa (population 1,111 according to the 2020 census). And while Jans has risen from his modest upbringing to a seven-figure salary as the new men's basketball coach at Mississippi State, he hasn't forgotten his roots and is proud of the path he has forged to get to where he is today.
"I come from humble beginnings," Jans said. "I was born and raised in a trailer park and I'm proud of it. I hope the people back in my hometown (are proud). There wasn't a fast-food joint within ten minutes. We didn't have any stoplights, but I'm proud of where I come from. I love visiting my home community, it means a lot to me. I went to a high school with four roads, and two of them were gravel. Some of my best friends in the world are the people I grew up with. Hopefully, they're proud of me and what we're doing."
Jans' coaching career has had a grassroots ascent as well. He spent 11 seasons of his now three-decade career coaching at places like Elmhurst College, Grand View College, Kirkwood Community College, Independence Community College, Howard College and Chipola College.
But whether it was NAIA, Division III, junior college or his tenure at mid-majors Idaho, Illinois State, Wichita State, Bowling Green and New Mexico State – one thing has remained the same. Jans has been able to win at every stop and on every level.
"I wouldn't trade my path for anyone's," Jans said. "It's made me who I am."
Jans posted a 159-45 record during his six years at the junior college level including winning a national championship and being named National Coach of the Year in 1998 while at Kirkwood. He guided New Mexico State to four Western Athletic Conference regular season championships, three WAC Tournament titles and led the Aggies to three NCAA appearances in the four years there was a postseason.
For his efforts, Jans was selected as the WAC Coach of the Year three times.
Jans has won 76.5 percent of his games as a Division I head coach, which ranks fourth among active coaches trailing only Gonzaga's Mark Few (83.7), Kansas' Bill Self (76.8) and Duke's Mike Kryzewski (76.6) in that category.
The 52-year old now plans to bring his winning brand of basketball to MSU and have the Bulldogs back dancing this time next season and for many years to come.
"We're not going to shy away from our goals," Jans said. "We want to be a perennial NCAA Tournament, March Madness team. Whether it's an automatic bid or an at-large bid, that's going to be one of our goals each and every season. It's certainly a goal heading into next year as well."
Jans' junior college roots taught him nearly every aspect of running a basketball program. He vividly remembers all those late-night postgame van rides and pulling into McDonald's and making sure his players and personnel didn't order anything extravagant so the team could stay within their shoestring budget.
"If we won, they could have a No. 1 or a No. 2 and an extra cheeseburger," Jans said. "If we lost, it might've only been a No. 1 or maybe even a kid's meal. That's just the way we did it. And I'd have to stand there as the head coach and make sure we were keeping it under budget with the meals.
"When you come up that way, you just appreciate it. I've been at a lot of places where we were the have nots. I don't feel that way anymore and am excited to have the resources that we have in order to do business the way that it needs to be done in a first-class manor."
When Jans and his wife, Sheri, toured MSU's facilities for the first time upon his arrival in Starkville, both were blown away by the assets and amenities they were inheriting by taking over the reins of a Southeastern Conference program.
"Even just walking through the Hump, my wife and I are just pinching ourselves because I've never been spoiled in that way," Jans said.
Climbing his way up each rung of the coaching ladder not only taught Jans the definition of hard work, but he also learned a lot about patience and perseverance. Those attributes along with all the basketball knowledge and experience he has received along the way will serve him well as he prepares to tackle his first Power 5 job.
"I was able to learn and make mistakes without the bright lights and big platforms as a young coach," Jans said. "It's a part of my journey. My blueprint is probably not one that young coaches look at me and say 'Yeah, I want to follow his path'. Where I've been and how many times I've moved and the places I've lived, there's plenty of other blueprints out there. But it's mine, and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've learned so much from so many."
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans & Players SEC Tournament Postgame vs. Auburn - 3/11/26
Thursday, March 12
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Media Session - 3/9/26
Monday, March 09
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Josh Hubbard & Ja'Borri McGhee Postgame Press Conference vs. Georgia - 3/7/26
Sunday, March 08
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Postgame Press Conference vs. Georgia - 3/7/26
Saturday, March 07