John Janssen enters his first season as Assistant Coach at Hope International University
For the past three seasons John served as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at La Sierra University where he began a program turnaround. Taking over a three win program, Janssen led the Gold Eagles to a conference championship game while putting together arguably the strongest team in school history. Janssen and his coaching staff were vital in the development of several student-athletes who went on to receive Cal Pac honors, including Newcomer of the Year Ivan Egbunike, as well as All-Conference players, Duane Darrett, D.J. Everage, and Uriel Lejtman.
Prior to taking over the helm for the Golden Eagles, Janssen served as the Men's Head Basketball Coach at Westcliff University (Irvine, Calif.) where he started the men’s basketball program in 2017. Preceding his time at Westcliff, Janssen spent a season with the Bristol University Bears (Anaheim, Calif.), competing in the USCAA.
Janssen has served as an Assistant Coach at a variety of institutions, including Chapman University (Orange, Calif.), where he helped lead the Panthers to their first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championship. While earning his Master of Arts Degree in Higher Education from the University of Redlands (2012), he assisted the Bulldogs towards a SCIAC Championship and trip to the NCAA Division III National Tournament (first appearance in 26 years). Janssen has also assisted the men’s basketball programs at both Cal Baptist University (Riverside, Calif.) and Concordia University-Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, Mich.).
Janssen played collegiate basketball at Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, Ariz.), where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing (2003). While playing at GCU, he earned All-CCAA honors. After graduation, Janssen took his talents overseas, playing in several professional leagues in Australia, Germany and Uruguay, as well as the ABA here in the states.
Janssen is active in the community, helping host the annual Riverside County Young Adult Holiday Celebration at La Sierra University in partnership with the Riverside Department of Public Services (DPSS). Janssen also coached at the high school level with the Huntington Beach Oilers for three seasons (2007-2010).
