Jason Kemp Named Head Men’s Basketball Coach
Minnesota State Moorhead has announced that Jason Kemp will become the 15th head men’s basketball coach in program history. Kemp has been in the coaching profession for over 20 years, beginning with Moorhead in 2004.
“It is with great excitement that I accept the opportunity to be the next Head Coach at Minnesota State Moorhead. I started my career here, and it certainly is a full circle moment to return here in this capacity,” said Kemp.
“I have watched the program grow and achieve great levels of success under the watch of some very talented coaches and administrators, and I do not take lightly the responsibility of continuing that momentum. My family and I are humbled by the opportunity to return to the Fargo-Moorhead area, and we will work hard every day to maintain a level of success that makes our institution, fanbase, and alumni proud to be Dragons.”
An introductory press conference will be held inside Nemzek Fieldhouse on Friday, May 2 at 2 p.m. The press conference will also be streamed on the NSIC Network.
Kemp most recently was an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn. While on the Golden Gopher staff, Kemp helped guide the program to an NIT second round berth in 2024. Kemp was instrumental in the development of several key players for the Gophers, including forward Dawson Garcia. Under Kemp’s tutelage, Garcia was a two-time All-Big Ten selection, including earning second team honors in 2024-25.
The Madison, Wis., native had several other development successes with the Golden Gophers, including Cam Christie, Elijah Hawkins, Pharrel Payne and Talon Cooper. Christie was an All-Big Ten Freshman Team selection in 2023-24 and was eventually a second-round draft pick of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers. Kemp also helped grow the game of former Gopher Jamison Battle, who is currently with the Toronto Raptors organization.
“Coach Kemp has that undeniable ‘X factor’—an energy and vision that truly set him apart. I’m excited for the NSIC and NCAA Division II programs to take notice of the impact he’s making on our men’s basketball program,” said Moorhead Athletic Director Chad Markuson. “He understands the Dragon basketball brand, and I look forward to working alongside him to continue building something special.”
Prior to his work at Minnesota, Kemp spent a pair of seasons at NCAA Division I William & Mary of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). During the 2019-20 season, The Tribe won a school record 21 games, including a 13-5 mark in CAA competition. Kemp helped forward Nathan Knight to CAA Player of the Year honors. Knight was also named the Lou Henson National Mid-Major Player of the Year and Basketball Times National Mid-Major Player of the Year after averaging 20.7 points and 10.5 rebounds in 2020. Guard Luke Loewe was also a CAA All-Defensive selection for The Tribe.
“We are excited to have a man of Jason Kemp’s caliber as our next men’s basketball coach,” said Moorhead President Dr. Tim Downs. “His character as a person and expertise in coaching is the perfect recipe to continue the successes of our outstanding program!”
Kemp spent eight seasons in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) prior to William & Mary. He spent seven years as an assistant coach at Ohio University, most notably aiding the development of guard Jason Preston, who was a two-time All-MAC selection. Preston eventually became a second-round pick of the Orlando Magic in 2021.
Kemp was also instrumental in the development of forward Antonio Campbell, who was named MAC Player of the Year in 2016 while also earning AP Honorable Mention All-America. While at Ohio, Kemp helped bring along forward Maurice N’Dour, who would later play for the New York Knicks.
In 2013-14, Kemp spent a season at the University of Toledo, helping guide the Rockets to a MAC regular season co-championship. Toledo qualified for the NIT that season and finished the year ranked in the Mid-Major Top-25 poll.
Kemp spent six seasons across the Red River in Fargo, N.D., at North Dakota State University, first as a graduate assistant (2007) and then as an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator (2007-13). Kemp was a member of the Bison staff that helped push NDSU to its first NCAA Tournament berth in 2009. The Bison also made College Basketball Invitational (CBI) appearances in 2012 and 2013. Kemp helped create a pair of Summit League Players of the Year in Bison legends Taylor Braun and Ben Woodside.
MSU Moorhead is where Kemp started in the coaching profession in 2004. Kemp was brought on as an assistant coach under former bench boss Stu Engen. He was also heavily involved in the AAU coaching circuit, leading ECI’s Prospect Program in Fargo.
A native of Madison, Wis., Kemp played four years at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise sport science in 2004. He also received a master’s degree in sports management from North Dakota State in 2007.
Kemp and his wife Michelyn have two children, Violet and Zander.
What They’re Saying…
“Jason Kemp is an excellent choice as Moorhead’s next Head Basketball Coach. He is a tremendous person with a great family that will be a great part of the community as he was when he was an assistant at NDSU. He is a great coach with outstanding basketball knowledge and has learned under several great coaches. He is an excellent recruiter and treats his athletes with respect. He is more than ready to be a head coach and will enjoy a great deal of success.” – Gene Taylor, Director of Athletics, Kansas State University
“Jason Kemp is a rising star in the business and is a perfect fit to lead the Moorhead program. His ability to build relationships has allowed him to connect with student-athletes at an elite level and make him a top recruiter in the sport. He has also proven during his career that he is terrific working with the community, other campus leaders, institutional donors and alums. There are no barriers that Jason can’t overcome, and I look forward to watching his continued success as a head coach.” – Dennis Gates, Head Basketball Coach, University of Missouri
“I think hiring Jason Kemp is a great move for Moorhead. The Dragons have great momentum going and Jason has the ability and expertise to keep it going.” – Tim Miles, Head Basketball Coach, San Jose State University
“Being recruited by Coach Kemp was a joy and I am extremely grateful for being able to build that relationship over the years at Minnesota. He is an excellent coach who knows basketball, has the right intentions, and cares about his players and team’s success more than anything. I am still in close contact with him and will forever be able to lean on his guidance whenever necessary.” – Cam Christie, Los Angeles Clippers Guard, 2024 NBA Draft Pick
“What a great hire for MSU Moorhead! Jason is the ultimate professional and competitor. Having competed against each other for years, his teams will be well-prepared and play the right way. I couldn’t be more excited to follow the success of Moorhead basketball for years to come.” Tony Jasick, Head Basketball Coach, Lincoln Memorial University