SMU Athletics

Jay Duncan finished his 12th season in coaching (2021-22), his 10th season on staff at SMU and his sixth year as an assistant coach for the Mustangs. 
 
In his 10 seasons at SMU, the Mustangs won The American regular season twice (2014-15, 2016-17), the AAC Tournament twice (2015, 2017) and made the NCAA tournament two times (2015, 2017). SMU also reached the NIT three times (2014, 2021, 2022), reaching the title game in 2014. SMU has also won the 2015-16 Las Vegas Classic and the 2019-20 Southwestern Showdown. The Mustangs garnered four American Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors (Nic Moore 2014-15, 2015-16; Semi Ojeleye in 2016-17, Kendric Davis in 2021-22) and three AAC Sixth Man of the Year awards (Markus Kennedy 2014-15, 2015-16; Ben Emelogu II 2016-17). In the nine seasons in The American, SMU has 19 All-AAC selections, the most in the league. The program has been in the Associated Press Top 25 in four of the seasons, being ranked as high as No. 8. The Mustangs were ranked or received votes in the AP Top 25 in eight of the last nine years. The Mustangs have had five players reach the NBA (Semi Ojeleye, Sterling Brown, Feron Hunt, Shake Milton, Ben Moore), with three selected in the NBA Draft (Semi Ojeleye, Sterling Brown in 2017; Shake Milton in 2018). Several others have had professional playing careers throughout the world, including Ben Emelogu II, Isiaha Mike, Nic Moore, Markus Kennedy, Yanick Moreira, Nick Russell and Jordan Tolbert.

In the summer of 2021, Duncan was a featured speaker on the Rising Coaches assistant coach panel and was one of just 50 assistant coaches nationally invited the Top Connect Lead Basketball Symposium (formally known as Villa 7).

Before being named an assistant coach by Tim Jankovich, Duncan had already learned from some of the biggest names in college basketball, including three different NCAA National Championship winning head coaches. He played for Rollie Massimino before working for Jay Wright and Larry Brown.

In the summer of 2015, Duncan was the head coach for a Global Sports Academy U.S. team. The squad went 5-0 on the tour with games in Belgium, Germany, England and the Netherlands.

Prior to SMU, Duncan spent two seasons (2010-12) on Jay Wright's staff at Villanova. During his time at Villanova, he was part of a 21-win season and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Before beginning his coaching career, Duncan spent two seasons (2008-10) as a starter and team captain for legendary Coach Rollie Massimino at Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Fla. His teams posted a 54-13 record in two years, making consecutive NAIA National Tournaments. In 2009-10, Duncan was selected as Student-Athlete of the Year after leading the Sun Conference in 3-point shooting percentage and finishing second in three-point field goals made. He was also a two-time NAIA Champion of Character honoree.

He played his first two collegiate seasons at Southeast Community College in Nebraska, where he was a two-year starter. Duncan was selected All-Region IX 1st team and was named an NJCAA Academic All-American, while leading his team to the NJCAA National Tournament.

Duncan graduated from Northwood University cum laude in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in business. He also received a master's in education from Villanova in 2012; graduating with distinction while earning a 3.8 GPA. In 2015, Duncan was admitted to the SMU Cox School of Business and is working toward an MBA.



"Jay has an impressive background, and has been an incredibly valuable part of our program. Before arriving at SMU with Coach (Larry) Brown and myself, he played for Rollie Massimino and worked for Jay Wright. I am excited for him and for us that he is in this position with our team." --- SMU Head Coach Tim Jankovich

"Jay Duncan is one of the most passionate and loyal assistants we have worked with at Villanova. His knowledge of the game is second to none. We're proud that Coach Jankovich is giving Jay this opportunity." --- Villanova Head Coach Jay Wright

"We knew Jay was special as soon as he arrived on our campus.  His work ethic, burning desire to excel and knowledge of the game of basketball was exceptional.  He led us to two consecutive National Tournament appearances with his unselfish, team-oriented play; leading by the example he set. Jay is a wonderful young man with a great personality and tremendous character. He has the innate gift of developing a rapport with all types of people. Jay has worked extremely hard to climb the ranks of his basketball profession, and I'm sure he will continue that same diligence in his new position at SMU." --- Rollie Massimino (1985 NCAA Championship Head Coach at Villanova, 2013 College Basketball Hall of Fame)