Jason Crafton
Jason Crafton | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 30, 1982 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Collegiate basketball coach |
| Years active | –present |
| Known for | Head coach for Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks men's basketball program; Chief Program Strategist for men's basketball at Columbia University |
Jason Crafton (born January 30, 1982) is an American collegiate basketball coach who currently holds the position of Chief Program Strategist for men's basketball at Columbia University. He formerly served as the head coach for the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks men's basketball program.
Playing career
During his collegiate years, Crafton played for Nyack College, where he captained the team in both his junior and senior seasons. He contributed to Nyack's sole CACC Championship victory during the 1999–2000 campaign.
Coaching career
Following his graduation, Crafton began his coaching journey by working as a video coordinator under Jay Wright at Villanova for two seasons. He then advanced to an assistant coaching role at Navy, collaborating with former Villanova assistant Billy Lange and subsequently with Ed DeChellis.
From 2012 through 2018, Crafton was the head coach at Nyack College, where he amassed a 47–108 record. He transitioned to professional coaching as an assistant with the Delaware Blue Coats in the NBA G League.
On April 24, 2019, Crafton took over as head coach at Maryland Eastern Shore. During the 2022–23 season, he guided the Hawks to an 18–13 record, marking the highest winning percentage (.581) for the program in half a century. The team set new school records for total steals (345) and steals per game (11.1), leading the nation in both categories. Additionally, they ranked first nationally in turnovers forced per game (19.0) and achieved a 10–3 record on their home court—the best since the 1973–74 season. Significant non-conference triumphs included victories against Temple and Columbia. The Hawks started their MEAC schedule with a 6–1 mark, their strongest opening stretch in fifty years.
Key contributors under Crafton's mentorship included forward Nathaniel Pollard Jr., who earned All-MEAC Second Team honors and was selected for the 2023 HBCU All-Star Game, alongside guard Zion Styles, who received All-MEAC Third Team and All-Defensive Team distinctions. Crafton's efforts were recognized as he became a finalist for the Ben Jobe Coach of the Year award, which honors outstanding Division I minority coaches.
On December 9, 2024, Crafton was appointed to the role of Chief Program Strategist for Men's Basketball at Columbia University.