Jay Flores enters his first season as an assistant coach with UC Davis men’s basketball in 2026-27 after spending 10 seasons at Montana, including nine as an assistant coach.
During his time with the Grizzlies, Flores helped the program capture three Big Sky Tournament championships and advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2018, 2019 and 2025. Montana won 26 games in each of his first two seasons as an assistant and finished 25-10 in 2024-25, sharing the Big Sky regular-season championship. In his final season, the Grizzlies went 18-16 and returned to the conference tournament championship game.
Flores’ responsibilities at Montana included recruiting, scouting, academic oversight and summer camps. During his nine seasons as an assistant, Montana players earned 22 All-Big Sky honors, including eight first-team selections. The program also received eight NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards during his decade on staff.
Flores joined Montana as director of basketball operations in June 2016 and was promoted to assistant coach in July 2017. Before arriving in Missoula, he spent three seasons as an assistant at Cal State East Bay from 2013-16. His coaching career followed a season playing professionally for Soles de Mexicali in Mexico in 2012-13.
As a collegiate player, Flores spent three seasons at Chico State after beginning his career at Sonoma State. He earned CCAA Most Valuable Player honors as a senior in 2011-12, helping the Wildcats finish 25-8, win their first CCAA regular-season championship and advance to the NCAA Division II West Regional semifinals. His senior-year recognition also included first-team All-CCAA and All-West Region honors and Division II Bulletin third-team All-America recognition.
Flores finished his Chico State career ranked third in program history in assists (387) and steals (137) and fourth in 3-pointers (153). He graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
A Sacramento native and Jesuit High School graduate, Flores helped the Marauders compile a 60-8 record and win consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section championships over his final two seasons. He and his wife, Molly, a Davis High graduate, have two children, JJ and Lea.
