Men's Basketball 5/28/2026 12:28:00 PM

Medgar Evers College Department of Athletics mourns the passing of former men's basketball assistant coach Todd Jamison

The Medgar Evers College Department of Athletics is sad to announce the passing of former assistant men's basketball coach Todd Jamison.

Jamison's ties to Brooklyn's basketball community saw him serve as former Head Coach Brian Nigro's assistant during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons. While serving as a key component of Nigro's staff, the Cougars qualified for the CUNYAC postseason during the latter of those two aforementioned campaigns, winning their most games in three years.

Todd Jamison served as the men's basketball head coach of Nazareth Regional High School for over 21 years, leading the program to incredible heights during his tenure. He guided the team to more than 300 victories, led Nazareth to three CHSAA City Championships, two CHSAA State Championships, and five CHSAA Divisional Championships. He was honored twice as CHSAA Coach of the Year and was also named Coach of the Year three times by the Brooklyn Tablet.

His experience, leadership, and wisdom greatly served the CHSAA through his longtime role on the Basketball Advisory Committee. Coach Jamison was also a respected speaker on the local camp circuit and served as a Resident Coach and Station Master at the renowned Five-Star Basketball Camp. In recognition of his incredible impact on the game and the community, he was inducted into New York State Basketball Hall of fame, the CHSAA Hall of Fame and the Nazareth Regional High School Hall of Fame.

Beyond basketball, Coach Todd was so much more. He was a loving father, grandfather, uncle, brother, son, friend, mentor, and role model to so many. His impact reached far beyond the court, as he changed countless lives through his guidance, support, and love for others. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy and the lessons he shared will live on forever.

Remembering Coach Todd:

From Brian Nigro, former MEC men's basketball coach from 2016-2025: Todd was not just my assistant coach, he was a friend, mentor, and a brother to me. I met him when I was playing High School Basketball for Xaverian and he was coaching at Nazareth High School. As the years passed and I entered the coaching ranks, I started recruiting his high school players. He was a great coach and had a major impact on so many lives through the game of basketball. Most of all, though, he was a great person.

In 2023, I offered Todd an assistant position with me at Medgar Evers, which would reunite him and Brad Oringer who was Todd's assistant for a few years at Nazareth. In the fall of 2024, he was diagnosed with cancer. We spoke every day about life, basketball, food, his children, grandchildren, and my children. There was not a day that passed by we didn't speak. I am so glad I had the opportunity to coach with him and become as close as we did. I will forever cherish our time together and will miss him dearly. He was loved by the Medgar Evers College community and our student-athletes.

From Brad Oringer, former MEC men's basketball assistant coach from 2016-2026: I was with him in his first few years at Nazareth. When you're just starting out as an assistant coach, tendency is to not talk too much. Todd had something up his sleeve. In the middle of practice one day, he walks up to me and says he has to meet with Mrs. Meyers – the Athletic Director, and leaves me to run practice. As it turns out, there never was a meeting. He just wanted to see me speak up and coach the team. It was a tremendous learning experience for me, and I'm thankful he did that.

Todd and I would talk almost every night. There were countless times when his wife Valerie would come to the phone and tell me he fell asleep. Through my five years with Todd, I definitely came out of that quiet shell. I think I picked up bluntness from him. He had his way of telling the truth. And yes, he did his share of winning at Nazareth. But to me, his legacy will be what he did for those kids.

From Kelvin Bigelow, MEC men's basketball assistant coach from 2016-2025, and current MEC men's basketball head coach: Coach Todd's passion for coaching always stood out to me — not only in the way he taught the game, but how he genuinely cared about the kids that he worked with. His generosity spoke volumes. He had a season ticket to the Brooklyn Nets games and was kind enough to leave me a ticket for a game. It wasn't just a kind gesture; it was a reminder of how deeply he invested in others. His energy, heart, and commitment made a real impact on the people that he came in contact with, and I'm grateful to have experienced that firsthand. He will be missed. Rest in Peace my friend.

Funeral Service Details for coach Todd Jamison:

Date of all services: Friday, June 5, 2026.

Visitation: 9:00am-10:00am at Grace Funeral Chapels (Chapel A), 607 N. Conduit Blvd., Brooklyn, NY 11208

Funeral Service: 10:00am-11:00am at Grace Funeral Chapels

Final Disposition: Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum, 2030 Wellwood Ave., Farmingdale, NY 11735

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