SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth men's basketball coach Damion Jablonski has announced the addition of Jake Hanson as the Pirates' lead assistant coach for the 2026-27 season.

Hanson comes to Whitworth after spending the previous three seasons as an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. During his final season at Adams State, the Grizzlies won 18 games, the most for the program in over a decade.

Hanson replaces Nick Sullivan, who joined the men's basketball staff at Valparaiso University following two seasons with the Pirates.

"Jake brings a wealth of experience from successful programs at a variety of levels," Jablonski said.  "He has had responsibilities in nearly every facet of college coaching and is going to be able provide great insights to our staff, as well as great mentorship to our student athletes."

Prior to his time at Adams State, Hanson spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

During Hanson's two seasons at William Penn, the Statesmen posted back-to-back 30-win seasons and made consecutive appearances in the NAIA National Tournament. William Penn also produced three All-Americans during his time with the program.

Hanson began his collegiate coaching career at Central Washington University, serving as a student assistant with the men's basketball program from 2018-21.

A native of Fox Island, Washington, Hanson earned his bachelor's degree in Sports Management from Central Washington and his master's degree in Sports Management from William Penn.

"I am extremely excited about adding Jake to our staff," Jablonski concluded.  "It takes great people to carry on the culture that we have established within our Whitworth basketball program, and Jake is great people."