Boston University named Joe Jones, who was most recently the associate head coach at Boston College, the 25th head coach of the men's basketball program, on June 23, 2011.

"After an extensive search, we are thrilled to have Joe Jones take over the reins of a BU basketball program that is on the rise," said Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Mike Lynch. "Joe comes with impressive credentials and past head coaching experience that will help take the program to the next level. I am happy to welcome Joe, his wife and their kids to the Terrier family."

"This is an exciting time for BU basketball," said Boston University President Dr. Robert A. Brown. "After the success of last year's team on and off the court, I am excited that someone with Joe Jones' coaching experience and academic standards will be leading the program for years to come."

A former head coach at Columbia University, Jones leaves crosstown rival Boston College after one year as associate head coach and returns to the America East Conference after gaining coaching experience in the Big East Conference, Ivy League and Atlantic Coast Conference over the past 14 seasons. The Eagles finished this past season 21-13 and advanced to the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.

"I am truly honored to be named the next basketball coach at Boston University," said Jones. "I would like to thank Boston University President Dr. Robert Brown, Executive Vice President Joe Mercurio, Athletic Director Mike Lynch and Deputy Director of Athletics Drew Marrochello for giving me this opportunity. We are going to play an exciting, up-tempo brand of basketball. I am looking forward to meeting the entire BU family and building on the rich BU basketball tradition."

Prior to joining the Eagles, Jones served as head coach at Columbia from 2003 to 2010. In the season prior to his arrival, they went 2-25 overall and 0-14 in conference play. The following year, he led them to a 10-17 (6-8) record, marking the third-best single-season turnaround in Ivy League history.

In 2006-07, the Lions captured 16 wins, the best performance by a Columbia squad since 1992-93. The Class of 2010 would finish with 26 Ivy League victories, marking the most conference wins by a Columbia class since the Class of 1994. In addition, the group became the third consecutive class to record 53 wins, a feat that hadn't been reached since the Class of 1979.

Jones previously served as an assistant coach at Villanova for six seasons (1997-2003) - four years under Steve Lappas and two years under Jay Wright - and was named one of the nation's top recruiters by Eastern Basketball magazine in 1999. During his tenure, the Wildcats advanced to postseason play in five of the six seasons and compiled a 105-83 record.

His collegiate coaching career began in the America East with Hofstra (1994-97) as an assistant coach under Wright. During his first season, he helped recruit the No. 1 ranked class in the conference. His recruiting efforts assisted in laying the groundwork for the Pride's rise in prominence that culminated in a three-year record of 72-22.

Before entering the collegiate coaching arena, Jones served as head coach at Long Island's Comsewogue High School for two years (1993-94). The Long Island native was a four-year letterman at the State University of New York at Oswego (1983-87) where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications in 1987 and a master's degree in counseling in 1989.

Jones and his wife, Kristin, have two children - daughter, Sydney (9) and son, JJ (5). His older brother, James, just completed his 12th season as the head coach at Yale.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT COACH JONES

"I can't say enough about how much Joe Jones did to help me in my first year here at BC. I knew he was a great coach when I hired him, but quickly learned that he's much better than I had thought. Joe is as good a person as you'll ever meet, and I know he will be an incredible ambassador for BU basketball and for the entire Boston University community."

-- Steve Donahue, Boston College head coach

"Joe Jones is as enthusiastic and passionate as they come. He has outstanding knowledge of the game and his guys always play hard for him. BU basketball will continue its great tradition under Joe Jones."

-- Jay Wright, Villanova head coach

"Coach Jones has personality and charisma that are contagious. The players are going to love his energetic coaching style and embrace his ability to teach and motivate on a daily basis."

-- Pat Chambers, Penn State head coach and former Boston University head coach

"Having success in any profession is based upon the ability to communicate and no one does that better than Joe Jones. A true "people" person with tremendous values and leadership skills, Joe is like a magnet each time he walks into a room because of his infectious personality. After learning from three of the best minds in college basketball such as Steve Lappas, Jay Wright, and Steve Donahue, Joe has all the attributes to be an outstanding coach on both sides of the floor. Boston has been a city that's had great coaches in many sports and Joe is going to instantly add his name to the list. This isn't a stand up double, BU hit a home run with their hiring of Joe."

-- Jon Rothstein, College Basketball Insider for CBS Sports Network and MSG Network

"We welcome Joe back to the America East Conference, where he got his collegiate coaching start. He joins a fraternity of excellent head coaches in the America East and his addition will help the conference continue its positive growth in men's basketball. We wish him success in adding to the great tradition that he inherits at Boston University."

-- Shonna Brown, Interim America East Commissioner

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