New Fairfield head coach Jensen Daulton says Fairfield is ‘very special’ 

LEESBURG — The Fairfield Lions are keeping the momentum they had from this past season by hiring a coach already familiar with the current roster, as Jensen Daulton was named the new head coach of the boys varsity program this past week by the Fairfield Local Board of Education. 

The Lions are coming off a Division VII SE District championship and regional runner-up finish from a season that saw the team have an interim head coach Raymond Friend take over the top post late into the season. 

Friend is staying on the coaching staff as an assistant, and Daulton is moving up to the first seat on the bench, as he was also an assistant for the Lions the past few seasons. 

Daulton, a Fairfield graduate, said this was never on his radar to become head coach until the end of this past season, when the opportunity became available. 

“I honestly could not see myself coaching somewhere other than Fairfield. I believe this place is very special, with a lot of special people, and has meant a lot to my family and I,” Daulton said. “This definitely was not something I had in my cards really until this past season was over, but I am more than grateful for the opportunity.”

Daulton has quickly worked his way up the coaching ranks as he began like many coaches by coaching a youth pee-wee team his very first year of coaching, followed by one season as the junior varsity coach at Fairfield. This past season, he was a varsity assistant for a team that finished 19-7 overall with a 10-3 record in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference. 

Becoming a head coach, Daulton has learned from a number of other coaches along the way in his path to now being a head coach himself. 

“I have learned about basketball from coach (Quentin) Williams and Raymond Friend these past few years and would not have this opportunity without them,” he said. “I am also a huge college basketball junkie, and watching and listening to guys like Mark Few (Gonzaga head coach) and Greg McDermott (former Creighton head coach) have only grown my love for the game.”

For many coaches, including Daulton, a successful program is about more than wins and losses on the court, as he wants his players to be successful off the court as well. 

“The kids are always the focus. Building a relationship with them and watching them grow into men while achieving their goals through hard work is very special,” Daulton said. “Team sports create endless opportunities for life lessons. There is also nothing like the emotion in the locker room after a big time win.”

The success of a program comes from each individual coaching style, and Daulton will be no different as no two coaches are the same. Daulton said he’s all about energy and wanting his players to have confidence in themselves, plus there is always the important aspect of not just focusing on offense, but making their name on the defensive side of the ball as the team this past season allowed just 44.3 points per game in 26 games overall, and 43.8 ppg in their 13 SHAC games. Offensively this past season, the Lions scored 58.2 ppg overall and 59.5 ppg in conference games. 

“I am all about energy and instilling confidence. I think kids feed off that immensely,” Daulton said. “I expect us to be the most vocal and energetic team on the court every night from warmups to the final buzzer. We will hang our hat on the defensive side of the ball, but we also want to play very fast.”

In becoming a varsity assistant this past season Daulton spoke about scouting more and how that improved him as a coach, and calling sets and making in-game adjustments during the tournament, as he said all of the coaches took part in that aspect of their run to the regional finals. 

“I think a lot of the scouting preparation I did this past season, especially during the tournament, is a huge bonus,” Daulton said. “We all took part in calling sets and making adjustments. It's always a team effort no matter what. I have never been part of a group that was so connected like we were during our tournament run. Everyone stepped up. 

“It's definitely something I will never forget, but the kids deserve all the credit. How the Malvern game ended is something that can fuel an entire season. We know what the expectations are and expect to be back.”

That fuel for the upcoming offseason and then the regular season will be needed as Daulton spoke about losing two seniors from the 2025-26 season who were of great importance in getting the Lions to the heights they achieved, but the new head coach is excited to see who becomes the new leaders of the program for the ’26-27 season. 

“The losses of Quentin McIntosh and Zach Ahsaruk can not be understated. Those were two guys whose effort was unmatched and did all the dirty work that made our team successful,” he said. “This upcoming senior class is very special, and that was evident at a young age. The talent has never been in question. I am very excited to see these guys take the next steps in their game and see who is going to step up from a leadership standpoint.”

There is also the Leesburg community and their love for basketball and the program. Daulton understands the importance of his new role for Fairfield basketball, and he appreciates all the support he and the basketball program has received.  

“I appreciate all the support (the community) has given me and my family,” Daulton said. “The crowds we had during the tournament run created an electric environment and I really think gave our kids an edge. We would love that type of support as much as possible, and I promise we will not disappoint. 

“I want to thank the current coaching staff for all their help and support along with Jimmy Barnett (former FHS athletic director) and Kesia McCoy (former FHS superintendent). My parents have been great supporters of me through my entire life, and that has not changed throughout this process. I also want to thank my wife (Kamryn Daulton) with all of her support through this, as she could have our first child at any moment.”