"Now I get to work with someone I trust and love": Former Gonzaga star Eric McClellan shares excitement on new role with Florida
Eric McClellan is on the verge of joining the Florida Atlantic’s roster as an assistant coach. The Texas native’s leap to Florida comes after initially pursuing Baylor.
He will now join John Jakus’ squad, who was Gonzaga’s director of basketball operations when McClellan played the point for the program (2014 to 2016).
So, when Dan Dickau asked him about the upcoming role on the Gonzaga Nation podcast, McClellan reflected on the personal bond he shares with Jakus.
“I’m just looking forward to being around someone I love, I respect,” Eric McClellan said. “As good of a coach that he is, he is a better human being. And that is what I’m most excited about.
"Just coming up under the tutelage of so many great coaches, so many great men, …and now I get to work with someone I trust and love. I’m looking forward to it,” he added.
Eric McClellan and John Jakus developed a deep bond during their time in Gonzaga. Apart from being regular at workouts and team practices, Jakus acted as a mentor for McClellan in his personal life and remained in touch ever since.
Along with McClellan’s first coaching stint, FAU's 2024-25 season will be John Jakus' first coaching stint. He was with Baylor for the last seven years, starting as an assistant coach and watching the Bears lift the 2021 NCAA trophy. He was then promoted to assistant coach in 2022.
Eric McClellan's time at Baylor
Eric McClellan and Jakus' new journey is similar to their time with the Bears, where the program faced the challenge of figuring out new pieces.
John Jakus came in as the head of the basketball operation in 2014, the same year when McClellan transferred as a junior. He averaged 1.8 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists in a limited role that season.
However, he earned a starting role next season, averaging 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 47% from the field and 34% from the three.
Eric McClellan declared for the 2016 NBA draft but was not selected. Nevertheless, he mounted an overseas career by playing for Limburg United in the Belgian League and averaging 14.2 points across five league games.
Soon, he switched to Tigers Tubingen from the Basketball Bundesliga league before joining Koroivos Amaliadas in the Greek Basket League.
His last international stint came in 2020, after lifting the Australian League Bundesliga title in 2019 and 2020 with the Kapfenberg Bulls.