BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University Men's Basketball Head Coach Mike Boschee announced Friday that Jake Masek, who spent 2024-25 as the team's Second Assistant, has been promoted to First Assistant Coach following the departure of Alex Fodness.
 
Jacob Masek was promoted to First Assistant Coach for Bemidji State Men's Basketball Staff for the 2025-26 season in August. He previously served as the team's Second Assistant Coach in 2024-25.
 
The 2024-25 Beaver Men's Basketball went 10-19 overall and 7-15 in the NSIC, earning a spot in the NSIC tournament, taking on St. Cloud State. The Beavers fell to the Huskies, 68-60, in the first round at St. Cloud. Notably, John Sutherland was named to the 2024-25 All-NSIC Second team after his senior season propelled him into the top spot in the BSU record book for rebounds (733), second in points (1650) and fifth in assists (290). Sutherland earned a total of five player of the week nods during his career, plus three all-academic team nods, two first team All-NSIC and one second team. The team also landed itself on the NABC Academic Team of Excellence list and had five named to the NABC Honors Court. 
 
"We're excited to have Jacob join us as our top assistant," said Head Coach Mike Boschee. "He's a hardworking young coach that wants to grow in this profession. He'll bring energy and enthusiasm to help our players grow in many ways. I'm looking forward to working with Jacob again and glad to have him back!"
 
As a student-athlete, Masek was honored as an All-Region and First Team All-Defensive player during his playing career as well as being top three in the nation in AST/TO ratio during the 2023 season. 
 
Prior to Bemidji State, Masek attended three universities over five years and was a part of the teams that won the NCCAA National Championship at the University of Northwestern-St Paul in 2021 and Crown College in 2024. He is the only player ever to make the NCCAA National Tournament Title Game three times, falling short in the semifinals in the other year. At Northwestern, the team won the UMAC Championship capturing the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament during his time there as well. At Crown, the team recorded the first two 20+ win seasons in school history including capturing the first national title in school history.
Masek graduated from Crown College with a bachelor's degree in Sports Management in 2023 and earned his master's degree from Crown College in Sports Administration and Coaching in 2024.
For more information on the Bemidji State Men's Basketball program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversMBB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and like them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversMBB).
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).