6/4/2004 5:00:00 AM

Hooten to go Division I

Tarleton State head men's basketball coach Lonn Reisman has announced the resignation of assistant basketball coach Jason Hooten. The former Texan player and 11-year assistant has resigned to become the assistant basketball coach at NCAA Division I Sam Houston State, a post he will begin on July 1.

"This is definitely something I've always wanted to do, but this is a very tough place to leave," Hooten said. "I have had goals of moving up to Division I, but more importantly for me, my goal was going to work for the right person and the right situation. I have been spoiled for 11 years having the opportunity to work for Coach Reisman and Tarleton State. This is a family, and it's one of the greatest places in the world to be. It had to be the right fit for me to ever leave, and I really feel this is the right fit for both Kristin and me."

Hooten, who played varsity basketball under Reisman for two years, returned to Tarleton in August 1993 after serving as a part-time assistant coach at Weatherford Junior College.

Hooten assisted Coach Reisman in all aspects of the men's basketball program, with particular emphasis in recruiting and scheduling.

"Jason is an extension of my family," Reisman said. "He played for me and has done an absolutely magnificent job in the last 11 years as my assistant. His work ethic is outstanding, and he put his heart and soul into this basketball program. Jason sacrificed many personal hours to be up here and work with me on this program day and night."

During his time at Tarleton, the Texans have posted a combined 256-121 record, including a 204-111 ledger as a coach and a 52-10 mark as a player.

Hooten has played a key role in Tarleton's recent success on the hardwood, heading up the recruiting efforts that allowed the Texans to post a 28-4 record and claim both the Lone Star Conference North Division title and the LSC Championship last season. The Texans had a 29-4 record and claimed an LSC North Division Co-Championship in 2002-03 and had a 25-8 record while claiming the LSC South Division title the year before.

With Hooten's help over the past 11 seasons, nine different Tarleton players have earned first team All-LSC honors, including Tim Burnette this season, who also was named Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Small College Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. Altogether, five Texans have been named All-Americans since his arrival.

"I think the biggest compliment in the field of athletics is when people come looking for you instead of you looking for them," Reisman said. "In this case, Sam Houston came calling for Jason. It's a sad day to lose a person this close to you, but it's a day I rejoice and watch him move up to NCAA Division I because of all the accomplishments this program has experienced."

Hooten began his collegiate playing career at McLennan Community College, where he was an honorable mention all-conference selection, before coming to Tarleton. He then earned two letters under Reisman, helping the Texans to a pair of 26-5 records and TIAA titles. As a senior in 1990-91, he played in all 31 games and led the team with 123 assists.

A 1987 graduate of Killeen Ellison High School, Hooten earned varsity letters in basketball and baseball. He was named an all-district guard while helping his team to the bi-district championship as a senior.

Hooten has two degrees from Tarleton, earning a bachelor's in exercise and sport studies in 1993 before completing requirements for a master's in 1995. He is married to the former Kristen Miller.

Hooten believes he owes part of this new chapter in his life to Tarleton.

"The opportunity I am leaving for now is because of Tarleton," Hooten said. "The opportunity I was given when I was 23 to be hired as an assistant for my job leads me to thank to Dr. Dennis McCabe, Coach Reisman and Dr. Ron Newsome for giving me the job. Coach Reisman is a second father to me, and I have taken all he is given me and ran with it. It's endless what he knows about the game and what I have learned from him. He has taught me a lot about life and how you incorporate your professional career with your life, and he has taught me a lot about how to run a program.

"Tarleton is a very special place, and the reason it is so special is because of the people that work here and live here in the community," Hooten said. "The support staff that is here at the University is excellent. People like Amber Hooks and Susan Burton, both of which bleed purple, are among those who would do anything for you. The people in admissions, the registrar's office, facilities, housing and financial aid, those are the people that make the University everything that it is. Plus, the reason we have had such great success, not just in basketball, but in all of our sports, is due to the strength of the community and the Texan Club. I just want to thank everybody for being a part of my basketball career here at Tarleton State."

Reisman knows it will not be the same without Hooten sitting next to him on the bench during competition in the future, but he acknowledges part of the success is because of Hooten's influence on the men's basketball program.

"He will be missed, but he will always be a part of this basketball family."

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