Kevin Willard is expected to make a big-time hire to his staff. Mike Jones, Virginia Tech assistant and former DeMatha head coach, is expected to join Maryland basketball’s staff, first reported by Pete Thamel. Jones, a Largo native, would to fill the vacancy left by assistant Tony Skinn, who was hired as the new head coach at George Mason. Maryland’s expected hire of Jones gives the program a game-changing hire, just one offseason after signing the first DeMatha player in 20 years. Jones served as head coach at DeMatha for 19 years where he finished 511-119, won the WCAC regular season nine times and won a national championship. Victor Oladipo and Markelle Fultz were among the six NBA players to play under Jones at DeMatha, while the Hokies signed former Stag four-star guard Rodney Rice last offseason. Jones made the jump to Blacksburg where he became the associate head coach on Mike Young’s staff, but will head to College Park after two seasons with Virginia Tech. Jones was among the immediate candidates for the job but shortly after Duane Simpkins was announced as the new head coach at American, where Jones was also a finalist, buzz continued around his name heading into the weekend as he rejoins his former point guard, Jahmir Young, with Maryland. The big question remains whether Jones' expected hire will lure Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson, who also played under Jones, out of the transfer portal. But Jones' ties to the local high school and AAU scene reestablish Maryland’s local recruiting ties in an offseason that saw Ed Cooley land at Georgetown. Maryland has not yet announced the hire. Related Links
VIP: NFL talent takes in Maryland football’s spring practice, recruits rolling onto campus (+)Virginia DL makes long-awaited return to Maryland (+) Veterans leading the way through Maryland football’s spring practices Good Counsel WR returns to Maryland, talks upcoming visits set and official visit plans (+)
Comments