April 22, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Jason Mims, who served as an assistant at Penn State under Bob Warming for the 2010 season, has been named the head men's soccer coach at Nebraska Omaha. Mims will guide the first year program, which will begin play in 2011, as UNO athletics reclassifies to Division I and becomes a member of the Summit League.
"Although being here at Penn State for just one full season, I believe we made a tremendous addition to the already storied tradition of Penn State soccer," said Mims. "I know Coach Warming will achieve great success here over time and continue the rich academic and athletic tradition at Penn State, as support is growing immensely. Although I am excited to start my new position, it is truly bittersweet. Coach Warming has been my coach, teacher, mentor, and great friend for nearly 15 years and I will miss that daily interaction. I want to thank athletic director Tim Curley and the rest of the Penn State staff for giving me the opportunity to work here. The Penn State Athletic Department runs a first class program and I wish them continued success."
In his 11th overall season on staff with Warming, Mims helped lead the 2010 Nittany Lions to 14 wins, the most since by a PSU team since 2002, a Big Ten Tournament title game appearance, and to the program's first NCAA postseason victory in five years. Penn State boasted one of the nation's most prolific offenses, totaling 144 points (45 goals, 54 assists) in 23 games and featured the NCAA's top goal scorer in Corey Hertzog and the nation's assist leader in Matheus Braga.
A player for Warming at Saint Louis from 1997-99 and a Billiken assistant under him in 2000, Mims has been recognized as one of the best identifiers and developers of collegiate soccer talent in the nation. Honored by College Soccer News as a top assistant on three occasions, he has been a finalist for the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year, was a member of the 2008 MVC Coaching Staff of the Year, and was named the 2008 NSCAA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
In eight of Mims' nine seasons on the Creighton staff, the Bluejays had at least one National Player of the Year candidate. Creighton has also boasted an offense ranked among the most prolific in the Missouri Valley Conference on an annual basis. During his tenure, the Bluejays won six MVC regular season or tournament titles, earned nine consecutive NCAA Championships bids, and advanced to one College Cup.
"Jay and I have been together since 1997," said Warming. "Between us, it's been much more of a friendship than a head coach/assistant coach relationship. I believe he has become one of the best coaches in the country, not just one of the best assistant coaches in the country. Jay can recruit, develop, and motivate players. Omaha and UNO are getting the right man who will propel the program forward quicker that most people would think. I am excited for him and for our sport in Omaha. I couldn't be more proud of him."
As head coach of his club squad, Mims captured five Nebraska state titles. In 2007, the club captured the Region II championship and advanced to nationals, becoming the first ever Nebraska youth soccer team to win a game. Mims was also involved with the Nebraska Olympic Development Program.
During his playing career at Saint Louis, Mims was a two-time All-Conference USA and NSCAA All-Midwest Region selection and part of a 1997 Billiken team that advanced to the College Cup. Mims has remained active in competitive soccer, teaming with former fellow Creighton assistant Johnny Torres to claim the 2008 United States Adult Soccer Association Over 30 Championship and helping to organize a team to qualify and participate in the U.S. Open Cup.
A native of Memphis, Tenn., Mims earned a communication degree from Saint Louis in 1999.