OKLAHOMA CITY - The Northwest Classen athletic department announced the hiring of Jonathan Bates as the new boys basketball head coach on Wednesday.

A graduate from the University of Central Oklahoma, Bates has spent the last 14 years in Texas coaching basketball at three different ISD's. He coached at Cedar Hill ISD from 2010-13, before spending eight years at Keller ISD from 2013-21. He comes to Northwest Classen after spending the past three years at Boyd ISD as the head coach for the Yellowjackets.

Under his leadership in three short years at Boyd ISD, he transformed the Yellowjackets basketball program into a winning culture and as they made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years and the 4th time in program history.

"I'm extremely excited for this new role with Northwest Classen." said Bates on Wednesday in his introductory press conference. "As a coach, I believe I have what it takes to make any program become more successful. I am dedicated to making sure that all of my student-athletes become the best men they can become. I'm looking forward to working with all of the outstanding Knights!"