SUN PRAIRIE — The search for the next Sun Prairie West boys basketball coach didn’t have to extend very far.
Jay Swanson, most recently the junior varsity girls basketball coach at West, was picked to lead the boys basketball program by district-wide athletic director Eric Nee in an announcement made Thursday.
“Jay comes to us with a great deal of experience at a variety of levels in both girls and boys basketball,” Nee said. “Jay has a clear vision and mission for our Sun Prairie West boys basketball program.”
Swanson takes over as the Wolves’ boys coach after Isaac Dennis finished the season as interim coach. Dennis replaced Chris Davis Sr. in January.
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Sun Prairie West was 19-6 and was the Big Eight Conference champion with a 15-3 record, falling to Janesville Craig 74-71 in a WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinal.
Jay Swanson
The Wolves’ top scorers were juniors Chris Davis Jr. (who averaged 40.8 points per game to lead the state and was second nationally), Tavian Crawford and Tyler Haney.
“He brings a vast amount of knowledge and skills to not only lead these young athletes on the court but off the court, as well,” said Nee, who serves as Sun Prairie West’s athletic director. “Jay is ready to install his student leadership group immediately.
“It was very evident during the interview process how student-centered he is and how important making connections with his student-athletes is to him, to prepare them for life after high school.”
Nee said Swanson is excited to build the Wolves’ boys basketball program and the community’s youth programs.
“My journey has been, and will continue to be, filled with learning, growth and creating memorable experiences for our student-athletes, coaching staff and the West High School community, as a whole,” Swanson said.
Swanson added he was eager to work with the student-athletes to pursue excellence in the classroom and the community and on the court and to develop leaders “who appreciate those around them, working hard, the importance of serving others and the joy that comes from doing these things daily.”
Sun Prairie West’s Chris Davis Jr. led the Wolves and the state in scoring.
Swanson comes from a family that has been heavily involved in athletics.
His brother Scott Swanson is the current Madison La Follette athletic director.
His father, Paul Swanson, formerly was a coach and La Follette athletic director. His mother, Ruth Swanson, also served as the Lancers' athletic director, said Jay Swanson, who teaches mathematics and also is a Sun Prairie West girls golf varsity assistant.
Big Eight schools with boys basketball vacancies include Madison East, Madison West and Janesville Craig. Madison Edgewood and Portage also have openings.
Photos: Abundant Life battles Columbus Catholic for WIAA Division 5 boys basketball title
Abundant Life's Jonah Koon shoots the ball during the first half of the WIAA Division 5 championship game Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Abundant Life's Jacob Koon shoots the ball against Marshfield Columbus Catholic during the first half of in the WIAA Division 5 championship game Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Abundant Life's Jimmitrius Davison shoots the ball against Marshfield Columbus Catholic during the first half of in the WIAA Division 5 championship game Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Abundant Life coach Mike Thies celebrates during the first half of in the WIAA Division 5 championship game Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Abundant Life's Jimmitrius Davison fights for the loose ball against Marshfield Columbus Catholic’s Cy Becker during the second half of the WIAA Division 5 championship game Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Madison Abundant Life fans celebrate during the second half of the WIAA Division 5 championship game Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Abundant Life's Jonah Koon attempts to shoot the ball against Marshfield Columbus Catholic’s Cy Becker during the second half of the WIAA Division 5 championship game Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Abundant Life players celebrate during the second half of the WIAA Division 5 championship game Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Abundant Life's Jacob Koon attempts a shot during the second half of the WIAA Division 5 championship game Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Abundant Life coach Mike Thies and Noah Wallace celebrate during the second half of the WIAA Division 5 championship game Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
From left, Abundant Life's Conner Whitaker, Blayne Wall and Jimmitrius Davison walk off the court after losing to Marshfield Columbus Catholic in the WIAA Division 5 championship game Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Abundant Life head coach Mike Thies embraces Noah Wallace after falling to Columbus Catholic in the WIAA Division 5 championship game Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
