Photo Credit: Liam Sment
After Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports reported that DeMatha Catholic head coach Mike Jones was the leading candidate to be Chester Frazier's replacement as Virginia Tech's associate head coach, Jones has reportedly confirmed he is joining VT's staff as he told Jason Bishop of Junks Radio on 106.7 The Fan (and reported by Chris Lingebach of 106.7 The Fan).
Since the initial report, DeMatha denied it and now Mike Jones himself has denied the accuracy of it.
We reached out to Virginia Tech for comment, and they told us that they "cannot confirm the report".
Sources: Virginia Tech is targeting DeMatha Catholic coach Mike Jones as the school’s new associate head basketball coach. Deal is not done, but he’s a leading candidate and a decision is expected next week. Jones just finished his 19th season at DeMatha.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 14, 2021
Confirmed. Jason Bishop just confirmed Mike Jones will be the new associate head coach at Virginia Tech.
— Chris Lingebach (@ChrisLingebach) May 15, 2021
Bish: "I talked to him yesterday."
EB: "Did he accept it, though?"
Bish: "Yes. Yes. He's gone."
This is not confirmed.
— DeMathaHighSchool (@DeMathaCatholic) May 15, 2021
When a decision is made by myself and my family, I will be the one to say so. No one else. There are people at DeMatha and Virginia Tech that deserve to hear it from the source and not on social media - especially when nothing has been decided. Don’t do that!
— Mike Jones (@DeMathaHoops) May 15, 2021
Jones may not be a sitting collegiate assistant or head coach, but he would be a massive addition having led the powerhouse DeMatha Catholic program for 19 seasons. Jones is one of the most respected high school coaches in the country and would bring plenty to the table both as a coach and as a recruiter given his name recognition and connections especially in the Washington D.C.-Baltimore metro.
5/17 Update
Virginia Tech and DeMatha Catholic both announced today that Mike Jones has agreed to join the Hokies' staff as the associate head coach.
You know what to do, #HokieNation 🦃
— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) May 17, 2021
Show love to our new Associate Head Coach, Mike Jones 🇺🇸🔥
📝 https://t.co/db5lXbTrOX pic.twitter.com/FaKo3iFHBw
Jones will be the top assistant on Mike Young's staff with Christian Webster and Kevin Giltner also returning next season on the bench.
Jones is undoubtedly a home run hire after 19 impressive seasons leading the powerhouse DeMatha Catholic program including a national title in 2006, nine WCAC conference titles, eight WCAC Tournament titles, and a 511-119 record.
He also earned major respect on an international level as he was the US U16 head coach for their 2019 FIBA Gold Medal and is so in 2021. He also was one of two who earned the 2019 USA Basketball Development Coach of the Year along with numerous other opportunities and honors he has earned on the junior international level.
We will have more as this story develops.
