Jake Deer
Head Coach

Coach Deer is entering his fourth season as the Head Coach for the Florida Christian College Men's Basketball program.

A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Deer was prepped at Southport High School. Jake had the opportunity to play under Indiana Hall of Fame Coach Bill Springer for 3 seasons.

Coach Deer spent two-years working out on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation for Apache Youth Ministries. While on the reservation as a missionary, Coach Deer found himself helping at a nearby High School there in Whiteriver. He spent two seasons with the Alchesay High School Falcons, under the leadership of Head Boy’s Basketball Coach Jim Boyd finishing 23-7 and 27-4 respectively.

Coach Deer arrived on the campus of Florida Christian College in the fall of 2000 as a student here at FCC. Coach Deer was named freshman of the year in (2000), 2nd Team All Conference (2001), and Coach Deer graduated from Florida Christian College in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Christian Leadership and an Associate of Science in Ministry From the very beginning of his arrival on campus in 2000, Coach Deer has been an instrumental part of changing the athletic culture around campus. Jake is still a key leader in rebuilding the Men’s Basketball program here at Florida Christian College. In the 2009-2010 season Coach Deer led the Suns program to their best record in school history of 14 -16. As we approach the 2010-2011 season, we know that our Men’s program is moving in the right direction, and with a great recruiting class, we look forward to a year of uncharted territory for our men’s team. GO SUNS!

“There are many opportunities to play and coach basketball at the collegiate level. However, the great part about being here at Florida Christian College is the opportunity to mesh our faith in Christ with basketball. I look forward to the responsibility to disciple and mentor every young man who has the opportunity to play in our program. I consider it a great blessing, to everyday, wake up and use the gifts that God has entrusted to me as a coach. I know without a shadow of a doubt, that all young men who come through our program here at FCC; their lives are enriched both as a person and as a basketball player.” Coach Deer brings a lot of excitement, passion, and energy to the program here at Florida Christian College.

Coaching Experience:
6 years Head Men’s Coach at Florida Christian College (2002 – 2004; 2007 – present).
1 year Head Women’s Coach at Florida Christian College (2003 – 2004).
2 years Assistant Boy’s Basketball Coach Alchesay High School Whiteriver, AZ (2005-2007).
1 year Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Trinity Baptist College Jacksonville, FL. (2004-2005).

Bryce Bow

Assistant Coach

A native of Muncie, Indiana, Bow was a three sport athlete at Delta High School. During his time there, he earned All-State honors in tennis, accumulated multiple individual championships in track, and was also a standout player on the basketball team. During his senior year of basketball, Bow shot an impressive 48% from three-point territory, was named to multiple all-area teams, and helped lead his team to a prestigious Indiana sectional championship. Soon after, Bow signed a letter of intent to continue his playing career for the Goshen College Maple Leafs in Goshen, Indiana.

While at Goshen, Bow was a two year Team Captain and was twice named an NAIA Academic All-American. Most recently, Bow was an Assistant Coach for the Leafs, a team that finished the 2009-2010 season with 18 wins, the #2 strength of schedule in the country, a #11 final RPI ranking, and a First-Team All-American and pro-prospect in senior guard Errick McCollum II.

The past four summers, Bow has been on the summer basketball staff at Duke University, Notre Dame University, and Purdue University where he has been able to network with some of the finest minds in the game and teach basketball to kids from all over the country. He has also served with “Hoops on the Rez”, a basketball camp on the Apache Indian Reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona, the last two summers.

Most recently, Bow has helped start a basketball teaching and training organization in Indiana with former Indiana Mr. Basketball, former Notre Dame Captain, and current professional player Luke Zeller. The organization (currently known as “Summit Athletics”), focuses not only on having first-class, high quality basketball instruction and teaching, but also the teaching and emphasis of life skills and being successful off the basketball court. Summit Athletics recently had its inaugural summer and is already underway with making plans for next summer.

At FCC, Bow’s primary responsibility will be as the Athletic Director, overseeing the growth, expansion, and improvement of the Suns Athletic Program.

“I can’t tell you how fortunate, privileged, and blessed I feel to be able to serve and grow in these roles at FCC. To be able to give direction and leadership to the Athletics Program while also coaching with Jake and Shane is a wonderful opportunity for me. We’ve got a talented group of guys, great leaders and administrators behind us, a campus community who seems to be excited about Suns Basketball, and a mighty God that we serve. Watch out!”

Shane Smarr

Assistant Coach

Shane Smarr is entering his 2nd season as Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach here at Florida Christian College. Coach Smarr arrived on the campus of Florida Christian College in the Fall of 2005. Coach Smarr was named team captain of 2007 and 2008 seasons, was our team MVP in 2008-2009 season, and was elected as an all region honorable mention selection as a senior. Coach Smarr graduated from Florida Christian College in December of 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Leadership and a Specialization in Business Management.

Coach Smarr’s responsibilities include: leading our recruiting efforts, heading up our film exchange program, helping to design our daily individual workout programs, and working with all day to day responsibilities. Coach Smarr brings to our program a lot of game experience, the ability to mentor our young players, and will be an asset to working with our perimeter players. We are excited to have such a quality young coach here on staff with us.