Jeff Jones (basketball coach)
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Allen Jones is an American college basketball
coach and currently the head coach of the American University
men's basketball team
. Jones took the helm of American basketball on April 17, 2000, becoming the 17th coach in the school's history. He was previously serving as an assistant coach on Jerry DeGregorio
's staff at Rhode Island
.
. He was inducted into the Apollo High School Hall of Fame. His father, Bob, is a former coach of Kentucky Wesleyan University
, which he led to the 1973 NCAA Division II title.
at the University of Virginia
from 1978-82. As a four-year starter (1979–82) at Virginia, Jones was known as a leader and prolific passer. UVa compiled an overall record of 102-28 (.785), while he led the Cavaliers to two NCAA Tournaments and two NITs during his career. Virginia captured the 1980 NIT title, and advanced to the NCAA Final Four in 1981.
Jones finished his career as Virginia's all-time assists leader (598), and his 200 assists during the 1979-80 season was UVa's single-season record until both marks were later broken by John Crotty
. Jones served as the team captain as a senior during the 1981-82 season and played in 129 games during his career. For his career, he averaged 6.6 points and 4.6 assists per game, while shooting 52.2 percent from the field and 74.3% from the free-throw line.
Jones graduated from Virginia in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Psychology
.
at Virginia until tabbed the 8th head coach in Virginia Cavaliers
history in 1990. He would go on to lead that program for eight seasons. He led Virginia to six postseason appearances (five NCAA
, one NIT
), one regular-season ACC Championship and four 20-win campaigns. He beat Roy Williams and #1 seeded Kansas in Kansas City to reach the Elite 8 in 1995.
, Jones was hired as the head coach at American University
. He has currently served eight seasons compiling a 135–118 (.533). After the school moved from the Colonial Athletic Association
, he guided American
to the 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2009 Patriot League
regular season championships, and in 2002 he was honored as the Basketball America Patriot League Coach of the Year
. However, the team fell in the conference tournament title game each year from 2002–2004, failing to garner an NCAA tournament bid.
On December 22, 2007, Jones led AU to its first victory over the University of Maryland
in the last 80 years. Jones previously coached AU to victory over Florida State University, making him the only Patriot League coach to beat an ACC team.
On March 14, 2008, Jones led AU to its first NCAA Tournament
, as the Eagles beat Colgate
52–46.
On March 22, 2008, Jones and the American University faced the Tennessee Volunteers at BJCC Arena in Birmingham, AL. Despite leading early on, American lost to Tennessee (57–72); ending American's NCAA trip.
He led the Eagles into the 2009 NCAA Tournament
on March 19, 2009. After holding a 14-point lead over Villanova early in the second half, the Eagles let the game slip away at the end and the 14th seeded Eagles lost to Villanova at the Wachovia Center
.
Despite being a #2 seed in the 2011 Patriot League Tournament
, American was upset in the semifinal round, getting knocked off by Lafayette University
in double overtime, 73-71. The #1 seed in the tournament was Bucknell
, who finished the season two games ahead of Jones' team.
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
coach and currently the head coach of the American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
men's basketball team
American Eagles men's basketball
The American Eagles men's basketball team represents American University in Washington, D.C. in NCAA Division I competition. The school's team competes in the Patriot League and play their home games in Bender Arena.-2008 season:...
. Jones took the helm of American basketball on April 17, 2000, becoming the 17th coach in the school's history. He was previously serving as an assistant coach on Jerry DeGregorio
Jerry DeGregorio
Jerry DeGregorio is the former head basketball coach of the University of Rhode Island, where he coached the Rams from 1999 to 2001.DeGregorio had been a high school coach at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain, Connecticut, where he coached for 2 seasons...
's staff at Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the principal public research university in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in Kingston. Additional campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West...
.
High school
Jones graduated from Apollo High School in Owensboro, KentuckyOwensboro, Kentucky
Owensboro is the fourth largest city by population in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the county seat of Daviess County. It is located on U.S. Route 60 about southeast of Evansville, Indiana, and is the principal city of the Owensboro, Kentucky, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's...
. He was inducted into the Apollo High School Hall of Fame. His father, Bob, is a former coach of Kentucky Wesleyan University
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private Methodist college in Owensboro, Kentucky, a city on the Ohio River. KWC is just 40 minutes east of Evansville, Indiana, 2 hours north of Nashville, Tennessee, 2 hours west of Louisville, Kentucky, and 4 hours east of St. Louis, Missouri...
, which he led to the 1973 NCAA Division II title.
College
He played point guardPoint guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
from 1978-82. As a four-year starter (1979–82) at Virginia, Jones was known as a leader and prolific passer. UVa compiled an overall record of 102-28 (.785), while he led the Cavaliers to two NCAA Tournaments and two NITs during his career. Virginia captured the 1980 NIT title, and advanced to the NCAA Final Four in 1981.
Jones finished his career as Virginia's all-time assists leader (598), and his 200 assists during the 1979-80 season was UVa's single-season record until both marks were later broken by John Crotty
John Crotty
John Crotty is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'1" point guard from the University of Virginia, Crotty was never drafted by an NBA team, but did play in 11 NBA seasons from 1992 to 2003...
. Jones served as the team captain as a senior during the 1981-82 season and played in 129 games during his career. For his career, he averaged 6.6 points and 4.6 assists per game, while shooting 52.2 percent from the field and 74.3% from the free-throw line.
Jones graduated from Virginia in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
.
University of Virginia
After graduation he spent 8 seasons as an assistant coach under Terry HollandTerry Holland
Michael Terrence "Terry" Holland is the Athletics Director and Executive Assistant to Chancellor Steve Ballard at East Carolina University...
at Virginia until tabbed the 8th head coach in Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball program represents the University of Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA's Division I. The team is coached by Tony Bennett.-Statistics:-Retired numbers:-Retired jerseys:...
history in 1990. He would go on to lead that program for eight seasons. He led Virginia to six postseason appearances (five NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
, one NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
), one regular-season ACC Championship and four 20-win campaigns. He beat Roy Williams and #1 seeded Kansas in Kansas City to reach the Elite 8 in 1995.
American University
Following a brief stint as associate head coach at Rhode IslandRhode Island Rams men's basketball
The Rhode Island Rams men's basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Ten Conference representing the University of Rhode Island. The team is currently coached by Jim Baron, who is in his 10th year...
, Jones was hired as the head coach at American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
. He has currently served eight seasons compiling a 135–118 (.533). After the school moved from the Colonial Athletic Association
Colonial Athletic Association
The Colonial Athletic Association is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose full-time members are located in East Coast states from Massachusetts to Georgia. Most of its members are public universities, with five in Virginia alone, and the conference is headquartered in Richmond,...
, he guided American
American Eagles men's basketball
The American Eagles men's basketball team represents American University in Washington, D.C. in NCAA Division I competition. The school's team competes in the Patriot League and play their home games in Bender Arena.-2008 season:...
to the 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2009 Patriot League
Patriot League
The Patriot League is a college athletic conference which operates in the northeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I) for a number of sports; in football, it participates in the Football Championship Subdivision...
regular season championships, and in 2002 he was honored as the Basketball America Patriot League Coach of the Year
Coach of the Year
Many sports leagues, sportswriting associations, and other organizations confer "Coach of the Year" awards.Some of these are:*AFCA Coach of the Year *Annis Stukus Trophy...
. However, the team fell in the conference tournament title game each year from 2002–2004, failing to garner an NCAA tournament bid.
On December 22, 2007, Jones led AU to its first victory over the University of Maryland
2007-08 Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team
The 2007–08 Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team represented the University of Maryland in the 2007–08 college basketball season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The team was led by 19th-year head coach Gary Williams. Maryland finished with a 19–15 record, and did not qualify for...
in the last 80 years. Jones previously coached AU to victory over Florida State University, making him the only Patriot League coach to beat an ACC team.
On March 14, 2008, Jones led AU to its first NCAA Tournament
2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament
The 2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 30 through June 25, 2008 and was part of the 2008 NCAA Division I baseball season. The 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams were selected out of an eligible 286 teams on May 26, 2008...
, as the Eagles beat Colgate
Colgate Raiders men's basketball
The Colgate Raiders men's basketball team represents Colgate University in Hamilton, New York in NCAA Division I competition. The school's team competes in the Patriot League and play their home games in Cotterell Court.-NCAA Tournament Results:...
52–46.
On March 22, 2008, Jones and the American University faced the Tennessee Volunteers at BJCC Arena in Birmingham, AL. Despite leading early on, American lost to Tennessee (57–72); ending American's NCAA trip.
He led the Eagles into the 2009 NCAA Tournament
2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament
The 2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was held from May 29 through June 24, 2009 and is part of the 2009 NCAA Division I baseball season. The 64 NCAA Division I college baseball teams were selected out of an eligible 286 teams on May 25, 2009...
on March 19, 2009. After holding a 14-point lead over Villanova early in the second half, the Eagles let the game slip away at the end and the 14th seeded Eagles lost to Villanova at the Wachovia Center
Wachovia Center
The Wells Fargo Center is an indoor arena located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
.
Despite being a #2 seed in the 2011 Patriot League Tournament
2011 Patriot League Men's Basketball Tournament
The 2011 Patriot League Men's Basketball Tournament will be held at campus sites for the higher seeds. The quarterfinals are on March 2nd, the semi-finals on March 6th, and the Championship will be held on March 11th. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA...
, American was upset in the semifinal round, getting knocked off by Lafayette University
Lafayette University
Lafayette University may mean:* Lafayette College* University of Louisiana at Lafayette* Lafayette University, also known as Notre Dame de Lafayette University, a degree mill identified in Operation Dipscam...
in double overtime, 73-71. The #1 seed in the tournament was Bucknell
Bucknell Bison men's basketball
The Bucknell Bison men's basketball team represents Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania in NCAA Division I competition. The school's team competes in the Patriot League and play their home games in Sojka Pavilion.-NCAA Tournament results:...
, who finished the season two games ahead of Jones' team.