Jamaal Stokes returns to the Seton Hill men's basketball staff for his fourth season in 2025-26, bringing over eight years of NCAA coaching experience across Divisions I, II, and III. Known for his leadership, defensive acumen, and player development, Stokes has played a critical role in one of the most successful runs in program history.
Since joining the Griffins in 2022, he has helped guide Seton Hill to back-to-back PSAC Tournament appearances and the program’s first-ever postseason win. In his first season, he helped engineer a 13-win improvement—the largest single-season turnaround in school history. That year, SHU finished in the top 10% nationally in steals and
the top 25% in forced turnovers. Under his leadership as defensive coordinator, the program achieved a remarkable 223-spot improvement in NCAA Division II Defensive Rating and a 212-spot jump in Offensive Rating over three years.
As the program’s lead recruiter, Stokes played a key role in bringing in multiple All-PSAC performers, including the 2024 PSAC West Freshman of the Year, by helping expand the recruiting footprint nationally and internationally. He also oversees scholarship budgeting, academic monitoring, team travel, and fundraising. His academic
mentorship has helped maintain a team GPA over 3.10 for multiple years. In 2024, he helped lead Seton Hill’s Athletics Day of Giving campaign to a program-record $7,900 and earned the Griffin Sports Award for most donations by an athletic team.
Beyond coaching, Stokes teaches First-Year Seminar courses focused on academic success and life skills and serves as Director of Seton Hill’s summer youth basketball camps, growing participation from 42 to over 200 in just one year.
“Coach Stokes has been a true program-builder who’s been instrumental in our program’s transformation,” said Seton Hill Head Coach Ben Wilkins. “His leadership, recruiting acumen, and genuine commitment to our student- athletes’ success on and off the court have made a lasting impact.”
Prior to Seton Hill, Stokes served as Associate Head Coach at William Peace University, guiding the team to its best season in program history with records for conference wins and hosting a USA South Tournament game for the first time. His defensive schemes earned national top-40 rankings in forced turnovers and steals. He also played a pivotal role in expanding the program’s recruiting reach, signing its first out-of-state student-athletes.
He began his collegiate coaching career as a Graduate Assistant at Virginia Commonwealth University, contributing to a 25-8 season, an Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship, and an NCAA Tournament appearance, with VCU finishing sixth nationally in defensive efficiency (KenPom).
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Stokes played high school basketball at Central Park Christian School, compiling an 88–1 record. He went on to compete in both basketball and track at Wiley College before earning his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Miles College and his Master of Education in Sport Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.
