Hokies Hire Legendary High School Coach Mike Jones
Victor Oladipo; Jerami and Jerian Grant; Quinn Cook; Markelle Fultz; Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley; NCAA Coach of the Year Mike Brey; these are just a sample of names to hail from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. As of Monday, May 17th, the school's tradition of basketball excellence will continue on with newly appointed Virginia Tech Associate Coach, Mike Jones.
Jones had served as Head Coach at DeMatha since the 2002-03 season, guiding his teams to a combined 511-119 record and 33 different titles throughout the regular and postseason in the process. Jones has also coached six different NBA players during his time in the DMV.
On top of excellence at the high school level, Jones has been a member of Team USA's coaching staff for 22 years, earning 2019 USA Basketball Developmental Coach of the Year after guiding the men's U16 team to a Gold Medal at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship.
Hokie fans had been thrown for a loop in recent weeks after losing assistant coach and top recruiter Chester Frazier to Illinois University, his alma mater, though these concerns are no more than an afterthought given Jones' connections at the high school level.
In a statement from DeMatha's administration released over social media, Jones received high praise:
"[Jones'] tenure as head coach these past 19 years has been marked by his grace and his commitment to the mission of the school and his devotion to our students."
DeMatha Catholic currently touts the 51st-ranked recruit in the class of 2021, UConn commit Jordan Hawkins, as well as two undecided four-star recruits in the class of 2022; it would not be a surprise to see the Hokies flex their new muscle and attempt to lure these players down to Blacksburg.
While it is very feasible that Jones will attract Head Coaching offers in the future, his tenure with the Hokies will be judged by his ability to accomplish a number of tasks: establishing Virginia Tech as a legitimate source for recruiting and player development; creating a winning pedigree and mindset in Blacksburg; combining with Mike Young to outthink and outmaneuver opposing coaches; and continuing to improve Virginia Tech's national reputation.
The hiring of Mike Jones seems to have been a no-brainer and may influence fellow Atlantic Coast Conference coaches to reconsider the hierarchy of the conference moving forward.
Mike Young has done it again ladies and gentlemen.
