All in: Golden Eagles Athletics rounds out leadership team with head coaching, administrative hires
Georgia Southern University Golden Eagles Athletics has completed its head coaching staff ahead of the program’s inaugural NAIA season, announcing the addition of Justin Tucek as head men’s basketball coach and Dustin Wager as the new men’s and women’s cross country programs’ first head coach.
Additionally, the Golden Eagles have finalized the administrative staff with the hiring of Justin Gray as assistant athletic director for administration and communication, and Jonathan Clasen as compliance director.
The appointments finalize a leadership group that will help the Golden Eagles reach new heights in intercollegiate competition and continue the growth of athletics on the East Georgia Campus.
“Completing our head coaching staff is an important milestone as we continue elevating Golden Eagles Athletics,” said Athletic Director Joe Heikkinen. “With the addition of outstanding new head coaches, new full-time assistant coaches, a compliance director who is widely respected across the NAIA as an expert in the field, and our new Assistant AD for Administration and Communication, we have strengthened every level of our department. This group gives us the leadership, experience and vision needed to serve our student-athletes at a high level as we begin this new chapter. Our goal is clear: to build Golden Eagles Athletics into a premier NAIA program.”
In addition to the two new coaching appointments, four head coaches will return, bringing with them a tradition of success established during the Bobcats era and helping guide the transition into a new chapter as the Golden Eagles. Their experience and continuity provide a strong foundation as Golden Eagles Athletics prepares to compete in its first year as an NAIA member institution.
Cross Country
As the first head coach in program history, Wager will be tasked with building the Golden Eagles’ men’s and women’s cross country programs from the ground up, including recruiting the inaugural student-athletes and establishing the foundation for long-term success.
Wager said he is eager to begin building the program and recruiting student-athletes to the East Georgia Campus.
“I’m honored for the opportunity to lead the Golden Eagles Cross Country program,” said Wager. “I’m excited to invest in our student-athletes and build a program that reflects hard work, accountability and pride. I look forward to building strong relationships on campus and throughout the community.”
He previously served as an assistant coach for cross country and track and field at Nicholls State University, where he worked closely with student-athletes in training development, recruiting, travel coordination and team operations.
A former student-athlete at Nicholls State, Wager has developed a strong foundation in athlete mentorship and program development while pursuing graduate studies in higher education administration.
“We are excited to welcome Dustin to the Golden Eagles family,” said Athletic Director Joe Heikkinen. “Dustin brings tremendous energy, enthusiasm and a genuine passion for helping student-athletes grow both competitively and personally. We believe he will do an outstanding job building our men’s and women’s cross country program and creating a strong culture for the future.”
Wager has already begun recruiting efforts and preparations for the upcoming cross country season.
Men’s Basketball
Tucek brings an impressive background of collegiate coaching experience and success at multiple NCAA programs, including Southern Arkansas University, Emporia State University and Northwestern State University.
Most recently, Tucek served as assistant men’s basketball coach at Southern Arkansas University, where he played a key role in player development, recruiting, scouting, community outreach, travel coordination and academic support. He also helped lead one of the nation’s top community service programs in NCAA Division II basketball.
Prior to Southern Arkansas, Tucek spent three seasons at Emporia State University, where he helped guide the program to multiple 20-win seasons, a school-record 23-win campaign, and an NCAA Division II Tournament appearance that included the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.
Throughout his career, Tucek has built a reputation as a high-energy coach with a strong focus on player development, recruiting, academics and relationship-building.
“We are thrilled to welcome Justin to the Golden Eagles,” said Heikkinen. “Justin is an outstanding young coach who brings tremendous passion, work ethic and leadership to our department. His experience, energy and vision for building a competitive culture make him a tremendous fit for our program. We are excited about the future of Golden Eagles Basketball under his leadership.”
Tucek expressed excitement about the opportunity to lead the program.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the Georgia Southern Golden Eagles men’s basketball program,” said Tucek. “This is a special opportunity to build something meaningful both on and off the court. I’m excited to connect with our student-athletes, campus community and supporters as we build a culture centered around accountability, development and competitiveness.”
Women’s Basketball
John Hines will lead the Golden Eagles women’s basketball team in the NAIA. With more than 20 years of playing and coaching experience, he most recently served as the former East Georgia State College (EGSC) head coach in the 2025-26 season, assistant women’s basketball coach during the 2024–25 season, assistant men’s basketball coach from 2010–14 and again from 2021–23, and coached the Middle Georgia Tarheels AAU program from 2015–2021. He has also coached at both Swainsboro High School and West Laurens High School.
While at EGSC, Hines supported basketball programs through recruiting, scouting, training, scheduling and program operations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sports and health Sciences from American Military University and a master’s degree in sports management administration from Liberty University.
Softball
Matthew Gillespie will lead the Golden Eagles softball team in the NAIA. Gillespie joined the coaching staff at the former EGSC in 2025 with more than a decade of coaching experience. He has managed nationally competitive travel softball teams, highlighted by winning the 2021 Alliance National Championship. His coaching philosophy centers on player development, competitive excellence and character building, preparing athletes to succeed both on and off the field.
Gillespie and his family are deeply connected to the sport. His daughter plays softball at Georgia Southern University, and his son plays for the Golden Eagles at the East Georgia Campus.
Beyond coaching, Gillespie has held senior leadership roles in finance and program management. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in sport management.
Baseball
Jason Mock will lead the Golden Eagles baseball program after serving as head coach of the baseball team at EGSC since 2023. An Effingham County native, Mock previously served as an assistant coach and pitching coordinator for the Bobcats before being elevated to head coach. A member of the Effingham County High School Hall of Fame, Mock played collegiately at Brewton-Parker.
During his four seasons at EGSC, Mock led the Bobcats to 102 wins overall. His best season came in 2023-24, when he hoisted a 32-24 record and one of the best offenses in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Mock holds an Associate of Arts from EGSC and is currently completing his bachelor’s in organizational leadership at Georgia Southern University.
eSports
Ashley Woods will lead the Golden Eagles eSports program after serving as head coach at EGSC since 2023. Woods also serves as Director of Information Technology at Georgia Southern University’s East Georgia Campus. Under Woods’ leadership, the program has experienced significant growth and national success, highlighted by three straight seasons with a national championship.
The first came in the game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate NJCAAE Tier 3 in the Spring season of 2025. Following that up, the program took home the national championship in Rocket League 3v3 NJCAAE Tier 3 in back-to-back seasons (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026). In addition, the program boasts five national runner-up finishes in NJCAAE Tier 3 and three third-place finishes in the same tier.
Assistant Athletic Director, Administration and Communication
As assistant athletic director for administration and communication, Justin Gray will bring his extensive experience in sports media, communications and athletics operations to help support the continued growth of Golden Eagles Athletics. He joins Georgia Southern from Augusta University, where he gained experience across multiple areas of athletics, including serving as sports editor for the student newspaper, The Bellringer, social media coordinator for the men’s basketball team, technical writer and play-by-play broadcaster.
Beyond his work at Augusta University, Gray has served as a sports writer for publications including The Forest Blade and The Augusta Press and worked in operations for CBS Sports during the 88th and 89th Masters tournaments. A graduate of East Georgia State College, where he earned an Associate of Arts, and Augusta University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in communication, Gray is focused on connecting Golden Eagles Athletics with the East Georgia Campus and surrounding community while creating opportunities for fans and supporters to engage with the program.
Compliance Director
Jonathan Clasen started his college coaching career as a volunteer assistant men’s basketball coach in 2008 at Hope International University (HIU) in Fullerton, California, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in human development in 2006. During his time as a volunteer assistant coach, Clasen earned his master’s in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2011. Clasen worked his way up to part-time assistant coach, and then to a full-time assistant coach and compliance officer in the HIU athletics department. The HIU men’s basketball program had its greatest season in 2014-15, when it won its regular season and its conference tournament before advancing to the Fab Four in the NAIA National Tournament. After the 2019-20 season, Clasen decided to focus his college athletics career on compliance (athletic eligibility) and event management. The 2026-27 season will be Clasen’s 14th season of NAIA compliance and event management.
“I am excited for the opportunity to move my family to Georgia this summer and be a part of the first-ever NAIA season for Georgia Southern University East Georgia Campus,” Clasen said. “I look forward to working with the coaches and athletes to keep everyone on track with NAIA eligibility and produce athletic events that create a big college feel for a small college community.”