Virginia Tech men’s basketball announced the hiring of Mike Jones as Associate Head Coach in a press release on Monday afternoon. He replaces Chester Frazier, who recently departed for his alma mater Illinois.
Jones has been the head coach at DeMatha in Maryland for the past 19 years, where he has compiled a record of 511-119, including a National Championship in 2006. He has coached five current NBA players, including the 2017 No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz.
“I am extremely excited to be joining Coach Young, his staff and Hokie Nation,” Jones said. “This is a tremendous opportunity to learn from a great coach in Coach Young and to provide our student-athletes with a passionate coach who is fired up about joining the Virginia Tech community and ready to continue the upward trajectory of our men’s basketball program…I’m very honored to have received such a warm welcome through texts, calls and social media from many who don’t even know me. I can already tell this place is special.”
Jones played collegiately at Old Dominion from 1991 through 1995 where he was an All-CAA player. After a professional career overseas, he got into coaching. Besides his extensive experience at DeMatha, he has been heavily involved with Team USA Basketball over the years, most recently serving as the 2021 USA Men’s U16 National Team head coach.
He was also co-recipient of the 2019 USA Basketball Developmental Coach of the Year award. He brings extensive recruiting ties in the DC/Maryland/Northern Virginia area, and a track record of excellent player development.
“Virginia Tech is first and foremost getting a great person who not only fits our program, but embodies what our University is about,” Mike Young said. “Mike Jones is a tremendous basketball coach, who brings a wealth of success from DeMatha and USA Basketball. I have had the privilege of watching Mike over the years and have continually been impressed with his ability to teach the game of basketball and mentor players. We are excited to add him to our family and look forward to continuing on what we have built over the past two seasons.”
Click here for the entire press release from Virginia Tech. We’ll have a TSL Pass article about what the Mike Jones hire could mean for the program on Tuesday.
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This is beyond HUGE and cements CMY’s reputation as a rising star within the college basketball community. Jones more than adequately fills the void left by the departure of Frazier. His decision to hitch his wagon to MY’s horse speaks volumes about the horse. Even if Jones doesn’t stay long, it will be long enough to raise the talent level of the program and reinforce its upward bending curve. Blacksburg is fast becoming a destination” for HS basketball players. Could it be that Tech is on its way to becoming a basketball powerhouse? Buzz Williams pointed the way to what was possible. Mike Young is making it a reality. By the time Jones moves on, MY won’t have trouble attracting talented AC’s.
Looks like a great addition to Hokie Nation! Welcome aboard!
Welcome to Hokie Nation!
The more I learn about Mike Jones the more I wonder why someone didn’t hire before us.
Washington Post reported that he has gotten at least one offer each year for the past 15 years, but none were as attractive as Tech’s.
Some people just can’t resist the temptation to “take a shot”, you would think CJF is the uVa coach the way some Hokie fans treat him. This sure seems to be quite the “get” for CMY and the basketball program.
I could not agree more with your comment. I have never understood the personal nature of the negative comments. If you lost, you should have won. If you won, it was not by enough. I get very tired of the seeming desire to always find something bad to say.
this could be the best assistant coach hire in any sport in a long time (Frazier was a great hire, too).
maybe wresing has had one better?
I love this hire. Coach Young continues to impress.
Seems like a helluva hire for Tech. Have to wonder why it took 19 yrs for him to be lured by a college and how much salary did it take?? I would imagine head coach at DeMatha pays decent. Hope he doesn’t suffer too much culture shock moving to SW Va.
Perfect Hire!!
Tremendous hire by a tremendous head coach. Welcome to HOKIE NATION Coach Jones!
Jokes aside- this definitely looks like a great hire. Congrats to VT!
Hopefully CC can address this further tomorrow- is this a 1:1 Frazier replacement, or is this either more of a coaching hire or a recruiting hire?
It’s been another week and Webster is still here, so maybe he’s not leaving for UF or another school this year? If that’s the case, does MJ’s level of coaching experience equal Frazier’s? He was hired as “Associate Head Coach” (not assistant coach) like Frazier was.
If Webster now leaves, does VT hire another top asst coach or focus more on a recruiter? I thought Ace took the job to eventually coach at VT, so I’m wondering how he will fit in at some point. If Webster leaves, does Ace just slide over to asst. Coach? Then, who replaces Ace?
Big time get.
Thank God for Coach Mike Young…………….he’s the man!!!!!
Difference between Fuente and MY
One is the football coach and the other is the basketball coach?
nice comeback
Of course
85 schollies vs. 15. Way different challenges each year.
J Fuente is our coach right now. Let’s see him do well.
I’m a Fu Fighter!
I like that phrase “Fu Fighter”. I join you I am a Fu Fighter too. Maybe a lot of folks will join you.