HYATTSVILLE, Md. — One of the nation’s most storied boys’ basketball programs is looking for a new head coach.
Mike Jones, who coached DeMatha Catholic High School, made it official today he is leaving the coveted post after 19 seasons to become the associate head coach at Virginia Tech. Jones, who took over for Hall of Fame coach Morgan Wootten at the start of the 2002-03 season.
In a statement, DeMatha said:
“DeMatha Catholic High School is so proud of and happy for Coach Jones. His 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. Mr. Jones’ association with the school dates back to 1987 when he was a freshman.
“He has served as a counselor and as admissions director in his career. At all times he has been a model of the DeMatha Man, a faith-filled gentleman and scholar. DeMatha will begin a search for a replacement in the coming weeks; but for now we celebrate with Coach Jones this opportunity.”
Last week, Jones, a DeMatha graduate (Class of 1991) and later a standout collegiate player at Old Dominion, was named the USA Basketball U16 National Team head coach, with Eric Flannery of St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) and Sharman White of Pace Academy (Atlanta) were added as assistants.
Under Jones’ tutelage, the Stags had a 511-119 mark for a sparkling .811 winning percentage. When the pandemic struck, Jones managed an 11-0 record, playing an abbreviated and will finish No. 2 in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings.
In 2019-20, his team earned a 30-3 record and won an eighth Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2020). The WCAC is widely regarded as the nation’s top schoolboy league.
Jones also has served as head coach of the USA Nike Hoop Summit Team three times, in 2013, 2014 and 2018 and as a USA Hoop Summit assistant in 2012 and 2017. He got his start as an assistant for the 2004 Youth Development Festival East Team. He won gold medals with the 2011 U16 team and 2012 and 2016 U17 teams.
The school stated it begin the search process in the near future. The vacancy will undoubtedly get several name candidates.
