Old Dominion hires alum Mike Jones as next head men’s basketball coach
Maryland assistant Mike Jones, who played at ODU and spent 19 years as the head coach at famed DeMatha Catholic HS (MD), has been hired as the Monarchs’ new head men’s basketball coach. Jones is in his first year with the Terps after spending the previous two seasons at Virginia Tech.
“We are excited to welcome ODU alumnus Mike Jones back as our 14th head men’s basketball coach,” AD Dr. Wood Selig said. “It was imperative that our new head coach check all the essential boxes including ability to recruit both high school and transfer student-athletes, player development, coaching acumen, style of play, community engagement, impeccable character and a proven history of success. Mike Jones checks all those boxes. In Mike Jones, ODU has a leader who has seen success at the highest level and knows what it takes to sustain competitive excellence. The fact that he is one of us is icing on the cake. Welcome home Coach Jones, I know the Hampton Roads community is ready to fill Chartway Arena and help you win Championships.”
This is the first collegiate head coaching job for Jones, but his high school coaching credentials are unquestionable. In addition to nine league titles and four state championships, Jones mentored dozens a future college players with several going on to play in the NBA, as well. Former DeMatha players include Jerian and Jerami Grant, Victor Oladipo, Quinn Cook, Markelle Fultz and current Kansas star Hunter Dickinson.
“I could not be more excited. This is an opportunity of a lifetime! Representing a world class university under the leadership of President Hemphill and AD Selig, my family and I cannot wait to officially be Monarchs,” Jones said. “ODU is home to me and WE are ready to work to build the program back into something that Norfolk and the entire Hampton Roads community will be proud of.”
Old Dominion is being led currently by interim head coach Kieran Donohue, who took over for long-time head coach Jeff Jones in December when the latter suffered a heart attack. Jones officially retired earlier this week and Jones’ name was immediately brought up in the media due to ties to the school and success at DeMatha.
The Monarchs play their final regular season game this evening at Georgia Southern and will be the 14-seed in next week’s Sun Belt Tournament.
credit to Old Dominion Athletics for the image
