YORK, PA – York College Assistant Dean for Athletics and Recreation Paul Saikia is pleased to announced Jared Wagner as the new Spartan men's basketball coach. Wagner replaces long-time head coach Matt Hunter who has departed York for the Gettysburg College head coaching position.
 
Wagner is no stranger to the Spartan program. He was a four-year standout for York, including being an All-American as a senior, before joining the staff four years ago.
 
Saikia is sad to say good bye to Hunter but excited about the potential of Wagner.
 
"I can't say enough about the job Coach Hunter did in leading our men's basketball program for the past 13 years. He worked tirelessly since the day he arrived at York College, and that effort brought a lot of pride to YCP. It's a tough farewell, but we wish Matt all the best in his new venture."
 
"We are truly excited to announce that the next chapter of the York College Men's Basketball program will be led by Jared Wagner. It is gratifying to present this opportunity to someone who is so well-prepared and deeply dedicated to the program. Perhaps sooner than expected, Jared's time has come, and I am really proud of him and happy for him. Our Spartans are in exceptional hands, and we're all very excited for what lies ahead."
 
Wagner has been a huge part of the Spartans' success of the last eight years including the programs' first MAC Commonwealth tournament championship last winter. The numbers over Wagner's time in York suggest nothing but success for the Green and White moving forward.
 
"I am honored to be chosen as the next men's basketball coach at York College," said Wagner. "This program is incredibly special to me and has molded me into the man I am today. Thank you to Paul Saikia and Dr. Thomas Burns for their belief in me to lead the program and carry on the standard of excellence on the floor, in the classroom and in the community. Go Spartans!"
 
Wagner showed up on campus in the fall of 2016. That started a four-year run in which the Spartans won 86 games including a 46-wins in the Capital Athletic Conference. The Spartans won CAC championships in 2017-18 and 2019-20.
 
After COVID wiped out the Spartans 2020-21 season, Wagner came back to York to join the Spartan staff. The Spartans began play in the MAC Commonwealth in 2021-22 and they began their accent in the league that culminated in last year's conference championship and NCAA Tournament run.
 
Wagner has been a part of eight of York's 17-all-time NCAA Tournament games including six as a player and two more this year as a coach when York took #1 NYU down to the wire in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
Wagner is as decorated a player as the Spartans have had during Hunter's 13-year tenure. He was a two-time All-CAC selection including being the league's Player of the Year as a senior. Wagner was first-team NABC All-Region V selection as a senior which led to him being a second-team All-American. He is one four Spartans all-time to earn national All-American honors in program history.
 
Wagner's name is all over the Spartan record book. He is ninth in scoring (1,505 points), first in free throws made (467), tenth in total rebounds (559), second in assists (554), first in steals (288), first in games played (115), and third in games started (99).
 
Wagner begins his new duties immediately as the Spartans. York begins practice in mid-October and will open the season on Friday, November 7 at Hobart in a non-league game. York kicks off their home slate on Tuesday, November 11 against Johns Hopkins.