Men's Basketball Coaches
Aaron Muhic
Head Basketball Coach
Coach Muhic brings over thirteen years of college basketball coaching experience to the Warriors. He has coached ten All-Americans during his time at William Jessup University and in only the second year (06-07) as a fully sanctioned NAIA Division II team, Coach Muhic led the Warriors to a season high national ranking of 18th. In total, he has helped them win over 96 games, so far.
A native of Alaska, he was a standout player at East Anchorage High School where he helped lead them to numerous state tournament appearances. After completing four years of collegiate competition at Eastern Oregon University (B. S., 1992), where he was team captain his senior year, Muhic decided to pursue coaching at the college level. Aaron began his coaching career in 1993, as an assistant for Pierce College in Tacoma, Washington. After one year, Coach Muhic pursued his master’s degree in Sports Science (M.S., 1996) at the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama. He also spent one year as an assistant at Lane Community College, Eugene, Oregon for Dr. Jim Boutin.
In 1995, Aaron was named head coach for Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon (at the age of 25). While at Warner, Coach Muhic built the basketball program and secured a Pacific Northwest Collegiate Conference Championship. After four years in Portland, Muhic was given the opportunity to coach at Glen Oaks College in Michigan, where he helped the team post a record of 18-12 and make the national junior college regional tournament. With a chance to move back to the West Coast, Muhic joined San Jose Christian College (now WJU); he led the SJCC basketball program in 2003 to the USCAA National Tournament.
Aaron is excited and enjoys the opportunity to teach basketball and share Christ at William Jessup University. He has been the men’s head basketball coach since 2000. Aaron and his wife, Shelby, have been married since 1994. They have a daughter, Madison, and a son Malachi.
Jeff Bussell
Assistant Basketball Coach
Coach Bussell is in his third season as a coach for the WJU men's basketball program. A native of Sacramento, he was a standout player at Casa Roble High School and was all-league honorable mention as a team captain his junior and senior year. At the age of 19, Jeff began his coaching career at his alma mater. He spents four season serving as an assistant junior varsity, assistant varsity, and head freshman coach. After graduating from Sacramento State, Jeff moved to Duluth, MN, where he was an assistant at the College of Saint Scholastica. CSS finished one game short from the NAIA tournament. He then moved to Concordia Univeristy-Minnesota to help lead them in transition the to NCAA II level. Coach Bussell moved back to Sacramento to coach at the high school level at Sierra Christian High School. In just 3 years as boys' basketball coach and athletic director there he lead them to the Sacramento Valley Christian League title with the first senior class in school history. Bussell recieved his bachelor's degree from Sacramento State University and completed his master’s degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in 2006 from Emporia State University, Kansas. Coach Bussell currently teaches physical education at Capital Christian High School. Jeff and his wife, Nicole, have been married since 2006.
John Florance
Assistant Basketball Coach
Coach Florance is in his second season as a coach for the WJU men's basketball program. He was a standout player at Sonoma High School and at Santa Rosa College. John then transfered to Biola University were he was a huge part of Biola's run at some of the best teams ever, as they won over 55 games in his two years as a Eagle. While in the Army, Florance was a member of two all-army teams and served a tour in Afghanastan. John also played professionally in Australia for one season, averaging 37.2 ppg. Coach Florance, an excellent teacher of the game, is currently a private basketball instructor and coaches two local AAU teams. John and his wife, Cindy, have two children. One son Jacob and one daughter named Kaylee!
Ryan Swarts
Assistant Basketball Coach
Coach Ryan Swarts is starting his second season as a coach for the William Jessup men's basketball program. Ryan grew up locally in Rocklin and attended Rocklin High School, where he lettered in basketball, football, and volleyball. He played varsity basketball as a sophomore and helped his team to the playoffs in each of his three years at that level, including a CIF Section Final at Arco Arena. His accolades as a student-athlete included Most Valuable Player, 1st Team All-League, 2nd Team All-League, and All-League Honorable Mention.
During Ryan's education at San Diego Sate University, he was able to play overseas in Melbourne, Australia for Deakin University. He then obtained a degree in Finance Real Estate, moved back to Rocklin and received his second bachelor's degree at William Jessup while helping with the men's basketball team. Ryan started his coaching experience with summer and winter camps at Rocklin High. Coach Swarts now juggles his time among substitute teaching, being a Jr. High leader at Creekside Church, teaching swim lessons, working toward a graduate degree, and assistant coaching at William Jessup.
