By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Jake DuPree has been named LSUA head men’s basketball coach after two successful seasons leading an NAIA program at his alma mater, a small, suburban Ohio university that just closed its doors.
Ending its 68th year this spring, Lourdes University was a private Franciscan university in Sylvania, just south of the Michigan border outside of Toledo. Declining enrollment (under 1,000) and rising costs were primary reasons university officials cited announcing the decision to close.
Despite the downward trends for the institution, DuPree put a superior product on the court.
After helping the Gray Wolves to a pair of NAIA Tournament appearances as a player, DuPree climbed from a graduate assistant post to head coach in 11 seasons on the staff at Lourdes.
He was the Gray Wolves’ head coach for the past two seasons, promoted from interim to permanent head coach late in the 2024-25 campaign. He was named the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Champions of Character Coach of the Year in 2025-26.
DuPree led Lourdes to a pair of 20-plus win seasons with an overall record of 42-18. The Gray Wolves posted a 29-13 mark in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.
The Gray Wolves made an NAIA National Championship Opening Round appearance in his first season via an at-large bid.
DuPree will begin his role as the Generals’ coach on July 6, LSUA said in its announcement Wednesday. He replaces Dimario Jackson, who accepted the head coaching post at Paul Quinn College in Dallas after leading the Generals for the past three seasons.
“We are thrilled to have Coach DuPree join us at LSUA as the next head men’s basketball coach,” said Assistant Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Tyler Unsicker. “His commitment to success, both on the court and off, will help continue the tradition of success and excellence within the program. His five foundations for the program will have a positive impact on the student-athlete experience and building champions on and off the court.”
DuPree produced 13 first team All-Wolverine-Hoosier Conference honorees, eight second team All-WHAC selections, two honorable mention All-WHAC picks, seven WHAC All-Freshman members, five All-Defensive Team honorees, two WHAC Newcomers of the Year, and a WHAC Player of the Year in Shaunn Monroe. In 2024-25, Monroe earned NAIA second team All-American honors. A year later, Derek Fairley was named NAIA third team All-American after leading Lourdes in scoring (23.2 PPG) and assists (106). DuPree has also coached a pair of NAIA honorable mention All-Americans. Lourdes student-athletes earned 20 WHAC All-Academic Team honors during his tenure.
“First, I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” DuPree said. “Without Him, none of this would be possible. I also want to thank Assistant Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Tyler Unsicker, (new LSUA chancellor) Dr. Elizabeth Beard, (retiring chancellor) Dr. Paul Coreil, and the rest of the search committee for this amazing opportunity. This program and university have a rich history of success across the board. The leadership is outstanding, and I could tell that the people here are committed to and dedicated to changing the lives of all students in the most positive way possible.”
“I am very much looking forward to having a positive impact on our student-athletes’ lives while helping them reach their potential both on and off the court,” DuPree added. “My staff and I will do this through our foundations of faith, accountability, discipline, teamwork, and toughness. We will be committed to representing LSUA and the Alexandria community with the highest level of integrity while, at the same time, pushing our student-athletes to be the best versions of themselves on and off the court. I firmly believe that when this is done the right way, success will follow. When our student-athletes graduate from LSUA, they will be confident in knowing that they can handle any obstacle or challenge that life may throw their way.”
As a player, DuPree was a four-year letterwinner at Lourdes. He served as team captain in both his junior and senior seasons. He garnered a WHAC All-Defensive Team selection in 2024-15 and earned honorable mention All-WHAC honors in his senior campaign. DuPree was a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District first team honoree and a three-time NAIA Scholar Athlete. He made a pair of NAIA National Championship appearances, including during the 2012-13 season in which the Gray Wolves won a record 22 games.
He graduated from Lourdes in 2015 with a degree in business marketing and earned his master of business administration degree from Lourdes in 2018.
“I also want to thank my mom, my dad, and my family for their continuous love and support,” DuPree said. “I would also like to thank all the coaches I have worked with throughout the years who have helped me get to this point. I am very blessed and excited to be a part of the LSUA family!”
- LSUA Athletic Communications provided most of the information for this story.