Mike Jones Named Head Men’s Basketball Coach at UNCG

GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 19, 2021) – UNC Greensboro (UNCG) today announced Mike Jones as new head coach for the men’s basketball program. He is the 10th head coach in UNCG men’s basketball history.

CSA is grateful to have assisted Chancellor Gilliam, AD Kim Record, and UNCG Athletics on this search. 

Jones, who served as the head coach at Radford (Va.) University since 2011, has led his teams to Big South championships, the NCAA tournament, and has seen his players go on to success in the NBA. His mentors include George Felton at the University of Georgia and Shaka Smart at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
 
Jones was named Big South Coach of the Year and NABC District 3 Coach of the Year (2017-18), after leading the Highlanders to a Big South championship and playing in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history. For his success on the court and his high moral standing beyond it, he was also named a finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year award following the 2018-19 season.

“We are excited to welcome Mike Jones and his family to Greensboro,” UNCG Athletics Director Kim Record said. “He is a seasoned professional who understands championship culture. Mike brings a winning mindset, a proven track record of success at the highest level in collegiate athletics, which includes a victory in the NCAA Tournament. In addition, he has worked with many of the best basketball coaches the sport has ever seen.”

“I will work extremely hard to represent the program and the university in a way to make everyone proud to be Spartans. Special thanks to President Hemphill and Robert Lineburg at Radford for their tremendous support during my tenure there. And to the players, parents, fans, alumni, supporters, and everyone who loves UNCG, thank you for this opportunity. Now let’s get to it.”

Prior to VCU, Jones was on Dennis Felton’s staff at Georgia for six years. In 2008, Georgia advanced to the NCAA Tournament when the sixth-seeded Bulldogs won four games in three days to win an SEC Championship.
 
A four-year standout at Howard University, Jones developed a lifetime friendship with fellow Howard alumnus George Felton (’85), who he calls the biggest influence on his coaching career. Jones’ father Jimmy was a star guard in the ABA from 1967-74 and signed with the Washington Bullets in the NBA in 1974, where he remained until 1977.

Jones is married to Dr. Sharon Blackwell Jones. He has two sons, both of whom played collegiately. His oldest son, Nate, played at Bucknell and his youngest son is a member of the Radford program.

For the full release from UNCG Athletics, click HERE.