University of North Texas Athletics
The Protector of Culture
10/12/2022 6:17:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DENTON — One fall afternoon in 2018, North Texas men's basketball head coach Grant McCasland and associate head coach Ross Hodge stopped by Navarro College practice to recruit one of the Bulldogs' highly-touted players.
But before they left, it was a 5-foot-7 student assistant McCasland gave his phone number to and began pursuing to be part of the Mean Green program.
Three years later, Jarad Hollis still has never suited up for UNT let alone scored a basket. But he has been at the core of the Mean Green's run of three straight conference championships as a protector of culture.
"I recruited him as hard as I recruited anyone that year," McCasland says of Hollis. "I knew he would impact winning as much as anyone. It was clear he was different. And I don't think the success we've had since he's gotten here is a coincidence."
As the North Texas coaches sat in the Wolens Event Center watching the Navarro practice, McCasland's attention was constantly diverted to Hollis who was the only student assistant there. Hollis ran the clock, wipe the sweat off the floor, helped with injured players and got everything the coaches needed for drills.
But it was his energy and how he interacted with the student-athletes during the practice that separated him from any ordinary student assistant.
During a team sprint on the court, Hollis caught one of the players not touching the line. He called out the player who then responded with a respectful "My bad. I got you." And sprinted back to touch the line.
"If you didn't know you would have thought he was another coach," McCasland recalled.
Luckily for North Texas, Hollis just so happened to have his eyes on Denton even before the Mean Green coaches walked into the gym that day. A Lancaster native, Hollis wanted to stay in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He even expressed interest about UNT to then Navarro head coach Michael Landers prior to meeting McCasland.
After winning a conference championship at Navarro in the spring of 2019 and the stars continuing to align, Hollis transferred to North Texas to be the program's head student assistant and oversee a group of 12 undergrad assistants for McCasland who was beginning his third season at the helm of the program.
An Old Soul
"They gave me no directions nor told me their expectations," Hollis said of the Mean Green coaches. "So, I figured I'd be myself."
Hollis, an early 20-year-old, describes himself as an "old soul" who rather go home and watch Golden Girls than hit the club on a Friday night.
He never played basketball growing up and is still surprised he's working for a basketball team. He was raised on track and field. His twin brother, Jordan, a sprinter at Purdue and his younger sister, Jayla, is a sprinter at Florida. Hollis even coached his sister in track when she was younger.
Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Hollis' unmistaken loud country vocals make up for his stature that sometimes can be hidden on a basketball court. And it doesn't matter if it's an empty gym or in the second half of a crucial game, Hollis has a passion for life and people that rings throughout the gym.
"This is not a job to me," Hollis repeated. "I think what's important is that the day-to-day duties of course are being taken care of but also that I'm here to keep these guys connected. Give them some security and encouragement. And also let them know when they're screwing up but doing it from a place of love."
"Having them trust me is what's most important," he added.
How Hollis interacted with the Navarro players the day McCasland and Hodge sat in the gym and watched him is no different than what he does today at UNT.
Despite being a peer, Hollis is quick to state that he is not the players' friend. But that doesn't stop him from caring for them. When they're not in practice and he's not doing his managerial duties, Hollis can be found in the locker room checking in on players. Taking the time to be there for them and being a positive influence.
And though they all know he never played the game; they are open to his criticism. Even when it comes to the finer details of basketball.
"He's genuine," said senior Tylor Perry of Hollis. "It's easy to tell he cares about us."
Hollis says what he takes pride in most is his work ethic. A characteristic he picked up from his mother and grandparents, who also gave him his "old soul." The coaches all echoed his old soul characterization. And furthermore said that what has helped Hollis succeed is his listening ability. Wether its with the day-to-day expectations or the Xs and Os of the game, the coaches only have to say something once and they know he'll get it.
Career Aspirations
For as long as Hollis can remember he's known he's wanted to be a coach. He's immersed himself so much into the Mean Green and basketball in general over the last few years McCasland has taken notice of his advancing grasp of the game's Xs and Os.
However, Hollis' role with the Navarro basketball team almost didn't even happen.
When he first got there, he began helping its athletic trainer and sports medicine staff.
But prior to a football practice during a hot Texas summer day, Hollis went into the basketball gym to escape the heat for a minute. As he sat in the stands, then men's basketball head coach Michael Landers walked in and asked Hollis if he was their new student assistant.
Maybe it was the heat. Or maybe it was just a lack of enthusiasm for being an athletic trainer, but without hesitation Hollis responded to Landers "yes."
From there on out Landers took Hollis underneath his wing.
"He told me he would make me into a basketball coach," Hollis said.
But it wasn't easy. Landers was tough on Hollis and set firm expectations of what needed to be done to be successful.
With his dream in mind, Hollis was steadfast. He listened and did as he was told believing his opportunity would some day walk through that gym door.
A Purpose
More than anything else what seems to drive Hollis into coaching and has made him a centerpiece to the UNT program success over the last three seasons is his "old soul" wisdom to influence and teach young adults through sport.
"I want to make sure the players enjoy this time and love their time here at UNT," Hollis said. "But also that they have the skills to be successful in whatever is next for them."
Hollis is entering his fourth season with the program and possibly his final, since arriving in Denton the Mean Green have not only won three league titles but won the program's first ever NCAA Tournament game, set the single season record for wins (25) and twice set the program record for league wins among many other accomplishments.
As UNT practiced one October morning, Hollis paced along the baseline. He had an intense focus in his eye but would give an occasional laugh and wink. A towel to clean the floor draped over his shoulder. A folded practice plan was sticking out of his pocket. He simultaneously was giving directions to his army of assistants to make sure the practice runs smoothly while also echoing the coaches' instructions to the team.
While he stood there, he reminisced on the past few years and thought about the ones who have influenced him and led him on this path, believed in him and cared for him like he cares for others.
"I'm so fortunate to be here," Hollis said. "All I've ever tried to do is serve the players and this program. My calling here has been to keep everyone together and protect this culture and leave it in a even better place."
Hollis gives a special shoutout to McCasland, Hodge, Matt Braeuer, Jareem Dowling, Andre Shaw. his right-hand man the last few seasons Mikey Malone, Clay Wilson, Anthony Willis, Drew Janszen, Landers and Dejan Pavlovic, for helping him on his path.
But before they left, it was a 5-foot-7 student assistant McCasland gave his phone number to and began pursuing to be part of the Mean Green program.
Three years later, Jarad Hollis still has never suited up for UNT let alone scored a basket. But he has been at the core of the Mean Green's run of three straight conference championships as a protector of culture.
"I recruited him as hard as I recruited anyone that year," McCasland says of Hollis. "I knew he would impact winning as much as anyone. It was clear he was different. And I don't think the success we've had since he's gotten here is a coincidence."
As the North Texas coaches sat in the Wolens Event Center watching the Navarro practice, McCasland's attention was constantly diverted to Hollis who was the only student assistant there. Hollis ran the clock, wipe the sweat off the floor, helped with injured players and got everything the coaches needed for drills.
But it was his energy and how he interacted with the student-athletes during the practice that separated him from any ordinary student assistant.
During a team sprint on the court, Hollis caught one of the players not touching the line. He called out the player who then responded with a respectful "My bad. I got you." And sprinted back to touch the line.
"If you didn't know you would have thought he was another coach," McCasland recalled.
Luckily for North Texas, Hollis just so happened to have his eyes on Denton even before the Mean Green coaches walked into the gym that day. A Lancaster native, Hollis wanted to stay in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He even expressed interest about UNT to then Navarro head coach Michael Landers prior to meeting McCasland.
After winning a conference championship at Navarro in the spring of 2019 and the stars continuing to align, Hollis transferred to North Texas to be the program's head student assistant and oversee a group of 12 undergrad assistants for McCasland who was beginning his third season at the helm of the program.
An Old Soul
"They gave me no directions nor told me their expectations," Hollis said of the Mean Green coaches. "So, I figured I'd be myself."
Hollis, an early 20-year-old, describes himself as an "old soul" who rather go home and watch Golden Girls than hit the club on a Friday night.
He never played basketball growing up and is still surprised he's working for a basketball team. He was raised on track and field. His twin brother, Jordan, a sprinter at Purdue and his younger sister, Jayla, is a sprinter at Florida. Hollis even coached his sister in track when she was younger.
Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Hollis' unmistaken loud country vocals make up for his stature that sometimes can be hidden on a basketball court. And it doesn't matter if it's an empty gym or in the second half of a crucial game, Hollis has a passion for life and people that rings throughout the gym.
"This is not a job to me," Hollis repeated. "I think what's important is that the day-to-day duties of course are being taken care of but also that I'm here to keep these guys connected. Give them some security and encouragement. And also let them know when they're screwing up but doing it from a place of love."
"Having them trust me is what's most important," he added.
How Hollis interacted with the Navarro players the day McCasland and Hodge sat in the gym and watched him is no different than what he does today at UNT.
Despite being a peer, Hollis is quick to state that he is not the players' friend. But that doesn't stop him from caring for them. When they're not in practice and he's not doing his managerial duties, Hollis can be found in the locker room checking in on players. Taking the time to be there for them and being a positive influence.
And though they all know he never played the game; they are open to his criticism. Even when it comes to the finer details of basketball.
"He's genuine," said senior Tylor Perry of Hollis. "It's easy to tell he cares about us."
Hollis says what he takes pride in most is his work ethic. A characteristic he picked up from his mother and grandparents, who also gave him his "old soul." The coaches all echoed his old soul characterization. And furthermore said that what has helped Hollis succeed is his listening ability. Wether its with the day-to-day expectations or the Xs and Os of the game, the coaches only have to say something once and they know he'll get it.
Career Aspirations
For as long as Hollis can remember he's known he's wanted to be a coach. He's immersed himself so much into the Mean Green and basketball in general over the last few years McCasland has taken notice of his advancing grasp of the game's Xs and Os.
However, Hollis' role with the Navarro basketball team almost didn't even happen.
When he first got there, he began helping its athletic trainer and sports medicine staff.
But prior to a football practice during a hot Texas summer day, Hollis went into the basketball gym to escape the heat for a minute. As he sat in the stands, then men's basketball head coach Michael Landers walked in and asked Hollis if he was their new student assistant.
Maybe it was the heat. Or maybe it was just a lack of enthusiasm for being an athletic trainer, but without hesitation Hollis responded to Landers "yes."
From there on out Landers took Hollis underneath his wing.
"He told me he would make me into a basketball coach," Hollis said.
But it wasn't easy. Landers was tough on Hollis and set firm expectations of what needed to be done to be successful.
With his dream in mind, Hollis was steadfast. He listened and did as he was told believing his opportunity would some day walk through that gym door.
A Purpose
More than anything else what seems to drive Hollis into coaching and has made him a centerpiece to the UNT program success over the last three seasons is his "old soul" wisdom to influence and teach young adults through sport.
"I want to make sure the players enjoy this time and love their time here at UNT," Hollis said. "But also that they have the skills to be successful in whatever is next for them."
Hollis is entering his fourth season with the program and possibly his final, since arriving in Denton the Mean Green have not only won three league titles but won the program's first ever NCAA Tournament game, set the single season record for wins (25) and twice set the program record for league wins among many other accomplishments.
As UNT practiced one October morning, Hollis paced along the baseline. He had an intense focus in his eye but would give an occasional laugh and wink. A towel to clean the floor draped over his shoulder. A folded practice plan was sticking out of his pocket. He simultaneously was giving directions to his army of assistants to make sure the practice runs smoothly while also echoing the coaches' instructions to the team.
While he stood there, he reminisced on the past few years and thought about the ones who have influenced him and led him on this path, believed in him and cared for him like he cares for others.
"I'm so fortunate to be here," Hollis said. "All I've ever tried to do is serve the players and this program. My calling here has been to keep everyone together and protect this culture and leave it in a even better place."
Hollis gives a special shoutout to McCasland, Hodge, Matt Braeuer, Jareem Dowling, Andre Shaw. his right-hand man the last few seasons Mikey Malone, Clay Wilson, Anthony Willis, Drew Janszen, Landers and Dejan Pavlovic, for helping him on his path.
Players Mentioned
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