(Associated Press)

Tim Jankovich will join Larry Brown on the court next season. He takes the role as associate head coach for SMU men’s basketball.

He is named the associate head coach, but many are speculating this is a “coach-in-waiting” position. However, there is not timetable in place for when Jankovich could possibly take over.

At the press conference this past Monday announcing Larry Brown as the new head coach, Brown was faced with the question surrounding a coach-in-waiting scenario. He alluded to the intention to stay at SMU for quite some time.

However, if history does in fact repeat itself Jankovich could take the head coaching position in less than five years.

“Tim (Jankovich) is the right guy and there’s nothing in the contract that says there is a time limit,” Brown said. “He didn’t wait. The school didn’t want it. I’m 71 but I don’t feel like there is a time limit.”

Along with Jankovich, Brown had already hired Jerrance Howard to his staff.

Brown, wanting staff with Texas ties, also hired Ulric Maligi from Houston according to reports. In addition to Jankovich, Jerrance and Maligi, Brown is also considering Eric Snow and Derrick Coleman, both former NBA players.

Ideas surrounding who would join Brown’s staff has been circulating for quite some time, even before Brown was named the head coach. Jankovich, one who had been on the suspected lists, joins the staff having spent the past five seasons as the head coach at Illinois State.

During his term as head coach his team made four NIT appearances, winning at least 20 games and finished in the top-three in the Missouri Valley Conference during every NIT appearance season. His overall record was 105-64.

A former Kansas player himself, he comes “highly recommended” from Kansas coach Bill Self, a close friend of Brown. Before becoming the head coach at Illinois State he spent five years on Self’s staff as an assistant. During this time, Kansas made five straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

During Jankovich’s time at Kansas, he helped aid the Jayhawks to three Big 12 regular season titles, two Big 12 tournaments advancing to the NCAA Tournament each time.
Jankovich has also been tabbed in playing a key role in player development and recruiting. He has coached 24 current as well as former NBA players.

Jankovich will reportedly earn somewhere around $700,000. 

Illinois head coach Tim Jankovich is one of three options for the men’s basketball assistant coach, including Jerrance Howard and Rod Strickland. (Associated Press)