Byron Jones - Men's Basketball Coach - Air Force Academy Athletics

Byron Jones

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
Byron.Jones.Ctr@usafa.edu
Phone:
719-333-3955

Byron Jones enters his first season as an assistant coach with Air Force men’s basketball in 2018-19. Jones brings a wealth of basketball knowledge to the Academy, with over two decades of coaching experience in the college ranks.

Jones comes to the Academy after seven seasons with Fresno State. During his tenure with the Bulldogs, helped the program win over 126 games and average 22 wins per season in those last three seasons. Jones was a key part of the staff that coached the Bulldogs to a second place finish in the Mountain West Conference, giving the Bulldogs their highest seed for a conference tournament since 2001 and guided the program back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001. During the 2015-16 season, Fresno State won 25 games, the third most wins in a single season in school history, including wins in 11 of its last 12 games. With Jones on the staff, Fresno State followed its NCAA appearance with the school’s first NIT Appearance in 10 years. Also under Jones’ tutelage, Fresno State senior guard Marvelle Harris was named the 2015-16 Mountain West Preseason and Postseason Player of the year. Fresno State had seven all conference selections during his last three seasons. During 2013-14 season, Fresno State won 21 games, including wins in 13 of its last 18 games, and finished in the postseason as the 2014 College Basketball Invitational Runner-Up. Under Jones’ coaching, Fresno State forward Paul Watson was also named the 2014 Mountain West Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American.

As Fresno State’s recruiting coordinator, Jones was instrumental in bringing top recruiting classes to the Bulldogs. “Byron Jones brings a tireless work ethic and winning background in every aspect of basketball,” said former Fresno State now current UTEP Head Coach Rodney Terry. Before heading to the west coast, Jones helped Winston-Salem State University return to glory by helping the program to a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Southern Division Title and a berth in the 2011 NCAA Division II Tournament. WSSU, winners of 19 games - the most in six seasons, enjoyed success throughout the season by winning the 36th Annual Winter Park Rotary Tangerine Tournament in Winter Park, Florida and going undefeated in the non-conference schedule. “Byron is considered one of the top coaches in the country,” said former Winston-Salem State and now Maryland Eastern-Shore Head Coach Bobby Collins. “He is a proven recruiter and an excellent on-floor coach.”

Prior to Winston-Salem State, Jones experienced great success at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. He helped UNCW to an 83-40 record and two NCAA Tournament Appearances in four years during his stint with the program. Along the way, the Seahawks went 61-22 in the Colonial Athletic Association capping the best four year run in conference history winning 73.5% of their games. While serving as an assistant Jones placed an emphasis on recruiting, mentoring, individual instruction, scheduling, scouting future opponents, campus and community involvement, speaking engagements, and academic success.

Jones utilized his recruiting connections to help bring in Seahawk guard TJ Carter, one of UNCW’s best all-time players. Carter was awarded 1st Team All-CAA during his senior season and he was also voted CAA Tournament MVP after leading UNCW to its best record (25-8) in school history. Jones crossed international borders when he lured two of Canada’s top players 6’8” Dejan Grkovic and 6’10” Vladimir Kuljanin (2nd Team All-CAA) to the beach after both were recruited by BCS level schools. Grkovic, an excellent student, was one of seven players to earn All-CAA Academic Honors during Jones’ time at UNCW. Kuljanin, a very promising big man, burst onto the scene after leading the Canadian Under 21 National Team to a 3rd Place finish in the World University Games. Kuljanin finished his Seahawk career in the top 10 in field goal percentage, rebounds, and blocks. “He’s very well respected in the coaching community… an outstanding individual with excellent recruiting ties throughout the country,” said former UNCW coach and now Clemson Head Coach Brad Brownell.

Jones also did his part to elevate the level of game scheduling for the Seahawk program. While it can be hard for mid-major schools to get high level games both home and away, Jones helped the Seahawks get quality games to help boost their RPI. Jones was instrumental in getting UNCW into the Black Coaches Association Invitational Tournament in Laramie, Wyoming. The tournament proved to be a big confidence booster for the 2005-06 Seahawks as they won three games in three days capturing the tournament crown. UNCW become the first team in BCA Invitational history to defeat the host team on their floor. Additionally, Jones helped land the Seahawks a match-up with Colorado, who agreed to return the game to Wilmington the following season. Colorado was the first Big 12 program to visit the Seahawks on their own campus.

During his 21 years amongst the collegiate ranks, Jones has been a key part of six well-respected programs, including stops at Fresno State, Winston-Salem State, UNC Wilmington, Denver, Eastern Kentucky, and Central Oklahoma. The Oklahoma City native has been successful in attracting top-notch talent at each institution.

During his five year tenure at Denver, the basketball program was revamped with a move from Division II to Division I. With responsibilities in nearly every phase of the basketball program, Jones was integral in the program’s administrative success in areas such as budgeting, scheduling, and team travel. Jones molded the Pioneers into the top academic program in the Sun Belt Conference.

On the court, Jones, a players’ coach, has been able to evoke the best from his players and further refine their fundamental skills to enable them to compete at the highest level.

A top recruiter, Jones was instrumental in signing every All-Conference player in Denver’s first five years in the Sun Belt Conference including 1998 Oklahoma Player of the Year Wahhab Carter. Two of those players Jones brought to Denver closed out their careers ranking among the Top Five in scoring, and one reached the Top Two in rebounding. In addition, B.J. Pratt was honored as the Sun Belt Conference Student-Athlete of the Year.

Before taking the Denver post, Jones spent two seasons as an assistant at Eastern Kentucky University. Considered one of the top programs in the Ohio Valley Conference, Jones lured Ohio Valley Newcomer of the Year, Daniel Sutton and Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball runner-up, David Evans, to the EKU campus.

Jones began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Central Oklahoma, where he spent two seasons with the Bronchos. During his time at UCO, the Bronchos won the Lone Star Conference (LSC) Northern Division, won the Lone Star Conference Tournament, and received an automatic bid to the 1995 NCAA Division II Tournament. During his time at Central Oklahoma, UCO was one of the country’s most explosive offenses by leading the nation in scoring and finishing ranked in the Top 20 both seasons. The Bronchos featured All-America forward Junie Sanders and All-Lone Star Conference guard Zoderick Green.

Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Jones played one season at EKU after starting his collegiate career at Northern Oklahoma College. He was a member of EKU’s team that advanced to the OVC Championship game in 1990 after leading Northern Oklahoma to a 24-8 record and the Bi-State West Conference title, collecting First-team All-Conference and Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Jones enjoyed an outstanding prep career at Ulysses S. Grant High School in Oklahoma City. A four-year letterman, he was selected as the Oklahoma City Player of the year and earned First-Team All-State honors following his senior year. Jones closed out his high school career as one of Grant’s all-time leading scorers and was also a member of the 1986 Oklahoma Rams Junior Olympics national championship team, playing with future NBA players Richard Dumas, Byron Houston, and Brent Price; they were coached by the late Johnnie Williams.

Jones earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sports and Recreation Management from Central Oklahoma in 1993 and completed his Master’s in Physical Education from Central Oklahoma in 1995.