WINONA LAKE – Longtime Grace College men’s basketball assistant coach Jon Yeh has accepted a head basketball coaching position at Truett-McConnell College (Ga.).

Yeh has been on the sidelines for some of the Lancers’ finest seasons in program history, including this year’s NCCAA Division I National Runners-Up finish. He has coached and recruited five Lancers who have produced 11 All-American or honorable mention All-American awards from the NAIA.

“I want to express my gratitude to Coach Kessler, our coaching staff and our administration for the opportunity to work alongside them these last five years. I’m especially grateful to our players and support staff,” Yeh said. “It’s their hard work and determination that has built Grace into a nationally-competitive and respected program. I’m really proud of the way our men have competed and responded to the challenges that arise each season. The on-court success has been phenomenal, but I’m even more joyful to see the growth in their personal lives.”

Yeh has been with the Lancers for 12 seasons, including a stint from 1999-2006. During Yeh’s second tenure, Grace has advanced to five straight national tournaments. Grace won its first league tournament championship in 2012 and was ranked as high as No. 4 in the NAIA Div. II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll during the 2011-12 season.

“My family and I will definitely miss the support of Grace fans and students at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center,” Yeh continued. “Our challenge will be to try to replicate the success we’ve had at Grace both on and off the court in our new home at Truett-McConnell. We’re very excited for the opportunity!”

Yeh has been Grace’s defensive coordinator since 2010-11, helping the Lancers to top 25 defensive statistical rankings throughout the past four seasons.

“Jon is one of those special assistants who has his fingerprints all over the success of our program. His help in all aspects of the game has been invaluable throughout the years,” said Grace men’s basketball coach Jim Kessler. “He is more than ready to be a head coach, and he has a chance to build up a program down there. I think it’s a great fit, and I know he’ll be an excellent coach while also caring for his players.”

Yeh will be taking over a Truett-McConnell program that finished 4-25 this season.

“We appreciate Jon’s Christian commitment to Grace College and his tremendous work with our student-athletes and advancement office,” said Grace Director of Athletics Chad Briscoe. “We are excited for Jon and his family and wish him all the best. We know he will bring great success to Truett-McConnell.”