J.J. Searls is began his first season as the full-time assistant men's basketball coach in 2000-01 at Wittenberg while also serving as the men's golf coach. Searls, a Lancaster, Ohio native, received his undergraduate degree in secondary education from Ohio University in 1996.

While at Ohio Searls served as a student assistant to former Tiger and current Ohio coach Larry Hunter. Searls began his basketball coaching career as the restricted earnings coach at NCAA Division I Manhattan College. Following his one year (1997) at Manhattan, Searls became a member of the coaching staff at Division III Franklin College (IN) for two years (1998-99). Prior to last season Searls joined Springfield native and head coach Jayson Gee at the University of Charleston (WV). This past spring, Gee recognized Searls' outstanding contribution to the Charleston basketball program by appointing him to the title of associate head coach.

Searls¹ wife Julie, an Ohio University graduate, is an editor for a book publishing company.