Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University alum Jason Hernandez has been promoted to assistant coach with the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association, the team announced on Monday. 

"We are thrilled for Jason and incredibly proud of all the success he has had in his career," commented Hofstra Head Men's Basketball Coach Joe Mihalich. "Jason is an outstanding representative of Hofstra University and our basketball program and his promotion with the Magic showcases his substantial talents. Hofstra Basketball has had many alumni play, coach and be part of professional basketball and Jason is a shining example our success in that area."

Hernandez enters his fourth season with the Orlando Magic and first as assistant coach. He originally joined the Magic as assistant coach/player development prior to the 2014-15 campaign, where he was responsible for on-court skill development, as well as game scouts. Hernandez established and collaborated with various departments to implement a return from injury protocol that incorporates analytics with an on-court simulation. He has also been responsible for organizing and running on court pre-draft workouts for the last three seasons.

Hernandez played three seasons at Hofstra, helping lead the program to three straight postseason berths. During his three seasons in a Pride uniform, Hofstra compiled a stellar 72-22 record. In 1998-99 Hofstra won 22 games and advanced to the National Invitational Tournament. The next season would see the Pride win 24 games and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 1977 season. In Hernandez's senior campaign of 2000-01, Hofstra went 26-5 and made its second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. 

During his three-year Hofstra career, Hernandez tallied 986 points, 296 assists, 203 rebounds and 126 steals. He played in 94 games and made 88 starts. He also drained 162 three-pointers during his Pride tenure. He ranks sixth all-time in program history in three-pointers made.

Hernandez, who played one season at New Hampshire prior to joining Hofstra, went on to play professionally in Puerto Rico for three seasons. In addition, Hernandez established Pro Hoops, Inc. in 2004, a basketball training service based in New York for teams and individuals seeking to improve their performance.

Hernandez has a dual MBA in both marketing and management from Hofstra. He and his wife, Allison, have three children, McKayla (20), Michael (14) and Morgan (12).