NMSU names Chris Jans new men’s head basketball coach

New Mexico State University did not waste much time replacing Paul Weir after he left for the University of New Mexico.

The school Monday announced the hiring of Chris Jans to replace Weir during a news conference streamed live on KVIA.com.

Jans has one year of experience as a head coach at the D-1 level. He led Bowling Green to a 21-12 record in 2014-15 before being fired after video surfaced of him allegedly touching a woman on the buttocks at a bar.

Jans, who is married, admitted to not knowing the woman. His termination letter states he also publicly called another woman the B-word after she criticized his drunken behavior at the bar, which led to a public altercation.

“I made a mistake that I am paying for that mistake dearly. I took a huge I took a huge professional and financial hit. And more importantly the embarrassment factor and my reputation.”

Reporters asked Jans about the incident during Monday’s news conference. He said he made a mistake and asked the NMSU community to give him a chance to prove himself.

“There is consequences for your actions and I paid them. And I continue to pay them and I will pay them for the rest of my life,” Jans said.

Jans said he has something to ask of Aggies fans.

“To give me a chance. Let me prove to them that that was a complete aberration. That is not who I am. And I am a better person today because of it. “

NMSU Athletic Director Mario Moccia, also asked about the incident, said “Everyone deserves a second chance.”

“We were just in church at Easter. Not to say this too much, but you hear a lot of ‘he who is without sin cast the first stone.’ But I also understand it. Is it a risk? I don’t think so, with the vetting job that we did. But I certainly understand people being skeptical,” Moccia said.

Jans became emotional at the news conference as he thanked his wife, who was in the audience, for her support.

“(Sighs) I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have her. She stuck by me, she was there when I needed her and I am very, very fortunate to have you. I love you,” Jans said.

Jans had just been promoted to associate head coach at Wichita State a week before news broke he was headed to NMSU to become the head coach.

“I get that some people aren’t into second chances. I am. Especially when somebody demonstrates to the best of their ability that they are worthy of that,” Moccia said.

He said Monday he had already spoken with the team and planned to reach out to possible recruits.

Weir left NMSU after one season and a program-record 28 wins.