ASHLAND, VA -- Randolph-Macon College Director of Athletics Jeff Burns announced Thursday the addition of Jarell Christian to the Yellow Jackets' Men's Basketball staff.

No stranger to the ODAC, Christian played at ODAC rival Emory & Henry and was on the bench for the Wasps as an assistant on Paul Russo's staff the last two seasons. While at E&H, Christian helped transform a four win team in 2011, into a 12 win team last season. He also mentored two All-ODAC players during his time in Emory.

Christian graduated from E&H in 2009 with a degree in Sports Management after playing four years of basketball for the Wasps. During his senior year, he served as the high jump and sprint coach for the Patrick Henry High School track team. Christian helped guide that team to a District and Region Championship, coached seven All-State performers and two State Champions.

"We are excited to have Jarell join our program," said Head Coach Nathan Davis. "He has all the qualities necessary to be an excellent basketball coach and valuable member of our program."

Christian has a strong pedigree in athletics, as he was an All-State track performer at New Kent High School. Christian set state records in the 200M, 400M and 4x100 relay. His father, John Christian Jr., was a sprinter who was a member of the 1980 Olympic track team which boycotted the Olympics. The elder Christian is in the Virginia State University Hall of Fame and is now the Head Coach of the Charles City High School Track & Field team. His brother, Jamion, was named the Head Coach at Mount St. Mary's in March of 2012.

"It is my pleasure to join the rich tradition of Randolph-Macon College Men's Basketball program," said Christian. "I am extremely excited to work with such a well-respected coaching staff and high character young men in which this program is known to produce. As a former ODAC athlete, I am humbled by the opportunity to become a part of the community and the Randolph-Macon Family."

After graduating from E&H, Christian spent the 2009-10 season as an Assistant Basketball Coach at Tusculum College before returning to E&H.

"Thanks to the continued generosity and support from men's basketball alumni and fans, the funding for this position will be provided by the Hal Nunnally Endowment for Men's Basketball. "With Jarell's familiarity with the ODAC as both a student-athlete and coach, I know that Coach Nunnally would be honored to have him join our program," said Davis.

Entering its 100th season in 2012-13, the men's program has advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons and twenty-one times since 1965. They have made two appearances in the NCAA Final Four. The first coming in 1977 and the second trip in 2010. The program has won numerous league championships, the most recent coming in 2011.

Randolph-Macon will open up the season on November 15th when it travels to Christopher Newport.

www.rmcathletics.com