Associate Head Coach Jordan Fee is a familiar face for Florida Atlantic basketball fans. He’s constantly by FAU’s head coach, John Jakus, also working one-on-one with players during FAU basketball games.
Fee is in his second year with FAU men’s basketball, and at only 36, he has had a career for the ages. Fee’s most recent accomplishment is a testament to that, as he was named on Silver Wave’s “100 Most Impactful Assistant Coaches” list.
“It’s nice to be honored for sure,” said Fee, “I signed up to be in a team sport, and I care the most about the team stuff. So if I could trade out that accolade for a win for the FAU Owls, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
Fee’s humility shines as he credits FAU and his family for much of his success. He grew up in a coaching family, the son of legendary high school coach and Mercy County Hall of Famer, Don Fee.
“It was really cool to grow up around it and to see my father scout and game plan, and develop, and he was essentially the CEO of a [program], although a high school coach,” Fee told the University Press. “I didn’t know how good he was at the time; the older I’ve gotten and the more removed I’ve become, the more I’ve realized it was an incredible way to grow up and to get to be around it.”
Growing up around coaching led Fee on a path to coaching. After a four-year playing career for Detroit Mercy and West Liberty from 2012 to 2015, Fee worked for West Liberty, Clarion, and Detroit Mercy as a graduate assistant, jobs he called “like internships.”
From 2015 to 2023, Fee worked as an assistant and lead assistant at Nova Southeastern University, a Division II school in Davie, Florida, just an hour away from FAU. There, he built camaraderie within the Florida area, learning under legendary head coach Jim Crutchfield.
Fee achieved great success at NSU, winning three Sunshine State conference championships and becoming part of the sixth team in Division II history to have an undefeated season.
In 2023, Fee left NSU to become the head coach of Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, leading the charge for the first time in his coaching career.
“Jordan has been the foundation of NSU basketball since I came aboard six years ago,” said coach Jim Crutchfield, heavily praising Fee upon his departure. “I consider Jordan to be the top assistant coach in college basketball, at any level. He has not only been a great coach, but also a great friend to me in my tenure here at Nova Southeastern. I wish him the greatest success.”
Growing up in Grove City, Pennsylvania, Gannon was very familiar with Fee; he grew up “watching games” and became entranced in the environment alongside his father. It was a surreal opportunity, and what, at the time, Fee called his “dream job.”
It was a dream season for Gannon, too. Fee led the greatest single-season turnaround in NCAA history, guiding Gannon from a 3-32 record when he took over to a 32-3 season and a spot in the NCAA DII Elite Eight.
“In many ways it felt [like a movie], they were one of the worst teams in the country. And then, you know, the next year, being able to rattle off 32 [wins] and win the conference regular season, it was the best season in school history, and it’s a testament to all those guys, both players and staff, that kind of joined the fight.”
Fee praised Gannon’s staff and players for being able to put together a magical season. “I think when you put a lot of people together, with a shared vision, and are disciplined, with a will to win, good things are going to happen. For us, it just led to probably more winning than I would have even envisioned,” said Fee, further speaking on the turnaround at Gannon.
After the season, Jakus recruited Fee to join FAU’s staff in 2024, and finally achieving coaching at a D1 level was an opportunity Fee couldn’t pass up.
“I would like to thank Coach Fee for laying a foundation of excellence for which Gannon basketball will continue to build from in the years to come,” said Gannon Director of Athletics Lisa Goddard McGuirk in her statement regarding Fee’s departure. “He has truly made a tremendous impact on Gannon basketball and the city of Erie, and for that, we are forever grateful. Jordan is an elite individual and coach, and we wish him all the best as he continues to elevate an already successful career.”
As difficult as the decision was, Fee received the opportunity to coach in an area close to his heart, close to his family, and close to him, as Nova Southeastern scrimmaged FAU during the Owls’ final four season in 2023.
“There was the opportunity to come back to South Florida, where my wife and I had lived for so many years, just down the road. I had familiarity with FAU,” said Fee.
Fee praised the fans and growth of FAU Athletics, and credits being an FAU assistant coach as an “awesome learning experience.”
“We are completely honored to have Jordan Fee on our staff. He is a uniquely gifted coach with an understanding of basketball in this area because of his tenure at Nova. He led Gannon to the best turnaround in Division II history, going from three to 32 wins in one year. He has been a friend of mine for over 15 years, and the fact that he would give up being a head coach to come serve these players at FAU is truly amazing,” said FAU head coach John Jakus, introducing Fee to the Owls’ fans.
Ultimately, for Fee, while he’d be open to being a head coach in the future, he’s focused on the future of FAU basketball and his family as Fee prepares for the birth of his first child.
“Family is so important to me, and the way that they’ve supported me through this journey, it’s just not easy,” said Fee, uplifting his family.
Fee’s coaching journey is just beginning, but through all the accomplishments and successes, he emphasized his appreciation for Florida Atlantic University.
“The administration has been awesome, and people in athletics have really supported us. I am so grateful to be here. I love FAU and the university.”
Mikai Datilus is the Sports Editor for the University Press. Email him at [email protected] or DM him on Instagram @mikaidat for more information on this and other stories.
