Jon Cremins was named the 17th head coach of the Georgia State men's basketball program on April 3, 2026, bringing nearly two decades of collegiate coaching experience to Atlanta, including successful stops at Vanderbilt, James Madison, Georgia Southern and Spartanburg Methodist College.
A native of Roswell, Ga., Cremins has established a coaching career highlighted by conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances and player development at multiple levels of college basketball.
Cremins arrived at Georgia State following two seasons (2024-26) as an assistant coach at Vanderbilt under head coach Mark Byington. During his first season in Nashville, Cremins helped guide the Commodores to a 20-13 record and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017. The 2024-25 campaign marked Vanderbilt's first 20-win season since 2012, while the Commodores recorded four victories over top-15 opponents, their most in a single season since 1987-88. Vanderbilt also returned to the national rankings for the first time since 2015, climbing to No. 24 in the Associated Press Poll.
Prior to Vanderbilt, Cremins spent four seasons (2020-24) as an assistant coach at James Madison, helping the Dukes compile an 82-36 overall record. His tenure culminated in a historic 2023-24 campaign in which JMU finished 32-4, captured the Sun Belt Conference championship and earned an NCAA Tournament victory.
During the 2022-23 season, Cremins helped guide James Madison to 22 victories, its most since the 1981-82 campaign. The Dukes established four program records, including total points, rebounds, steals and steals per game, while averaging 80.5 points per contest.
In his first season at JMU in 2020-21, Cremins helped engineer a significant turnaround as the Dukes captured the Colonial Athletic Association regular-season championship after being picked ninth in the preseason poll. JMU won 10 of its final 11 games to secure its first No. 1 seed in the CAA Tournament since 1992-93.
Before joining the Dukes, Cremins spent two seasons (2018-20) as an assistant coach at Georgia Southern, helping the Eagles record consecutive 20-win campaigns. During the 2018-19 season, Georgia Southern finished 21-12 overall and 12-6 in Sun Belt play, tying for second in the conference standings. The Eagles ranked fourth nationally in field goal percentage (.499) and 15th in scoring offense (82.6 points per game).
Cremins also helped develop Tookie Brown, who earned Sun Belt Player of the Year honors, became the first four-time First-Team All-Sun Belt selection in conference history and received All-America Honorable Mention recognition.
Cremins spent the 2017-18 season as an assistant coach at USC Upstate following a successful tenure as head coach at Spartanburg Methodist College.
During his two seasons (2015-17) leading Spartanburg Methodist, Cremins compiled a 55-11 overall record and guided the Pioneers to back-to-back NJCAA Division I National Tournament appearances. He earned consecutive Region X and District X Coach of the Year honors while leading the program to two Region X Tournament championships.
In 2016-17, Cremins guided Spartanburg Methodist to a 29-4 record, a top-25 national ranking and the Region X regular-season and tournament championships. The Pioneers led the nation in field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage and three-pointers made per game. Cremins also coached NJCAA All-American and Region X Player of the Year Anthony Adger.
In his inaugural season as head coach in 2015-16, Cremins led the Pioneers to a 26-7 record, a Region X Tournament championship and an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament.
Prior to his first head coaching position, Cremins served as an assistant coach at Kennesaw State during the 2014-15 season. During his tenure, the Owls increased their win total and reached the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.
From 2012-14, Cremins served as an assistant coach at Southeast Missouri State under head coach Dickey Nutt. He helped the Redhawks produce back-to-back winning seasons, including an 18-win campaign in 2013-14, their highest win total since 2000-01.
During the 2012-13 season, Southeast Missouri State set a program record with 256 three-pointers and led the Ohio Valley Conference in three-point field goal percentage (.398), ranking eighth nationally. The following season, the Redhawks ranked among the nation's top 10 in field goal percentage, scoring offense and assists.
Cremins spent two seasons (2010-12) as director of basketball operations at the College of Charleston, working under his uncle, longtime collegiate head coach Bobby Cremins. During his tenure, the Cougars compiled a 45-22 record and captured the Southern Conference regular-season championship.
The 2010-11 Charleston squad finished 26-11, defeated nationally ranked Tennessee and advanced to the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament. The program also produced All-American and NBA Draft selection Andrew Goudelock.
Before joining Charleston, Cremins served as an assistant coach and teacher at South Forsyth High School in Cumming, Ga., during the 2009-10 academic year.
Cremins began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Valdosta State, from 2007-09. During his two seasons with the Blazers, he helped the program capture the Gulf South Conference East Division championship and earn an NCAA Division II South Regional appearance.
A Roswell, Ga., native, Cremins earned his bachelor's degree in history from Valdosta State in 2007 and his master's degree in public administration in 2009.
