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Virginia Tech Basketball: What Impact Mike Jones Brings to the Hokies

By Michael Hanich

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: The Virginia Tech Hokies mascot walks on the court in the first half against the Liberty Flames during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 24, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: The Virginia Tech Hokies mascot walks on the court in the first half against the Liberty Flames during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 24, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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In the pursuit of their first ACC regular season and conference tournament championship, the Virginia Tech Hokies made a significant coaching hire on Monday. The Hokies hired former DeMatha High School Head Basketball Coach and 22-time USA Basketball coach Mike Jones as an associate coach for the Virginia Tech Hokies. Jones looks to create a significant impact for the Hokies’ Basketball program just off their 15-7 overall season and a 2021 NCAA Tournament appearance.

Jones has an extensive history as the head coach of the Stags, a private boys’ school where basketball is one of the top resources. In his 19-years with DeMatha, Jones accumulated an overall record of 511-119 (.811% winning percentage). He also helped the Stags win a national title in 2006, nine Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Regular Season titles, eight WCAC Tournament titles, and four Maryland Prep School Tournament Championships.

Aside from his excellent achievements at DeMatha, Jones has been a great developmental coach. In 2019, he was named USA Basketball Developmental Coach of the Year. That year, Jones led the 2019 USA Basketball’s U16 National Team to gold at the FIBA Americans U16 Championship in Brazil. He has shown himself to be an excellent developer of high-caliber players that can utilize their talents on the court.

Jones has developed some NBA-caliber players at DeMatha including some players that are thriving in the league to this day. Some of the most noticeable players from DeMatha coached and developed by Jones include Orlando Magic point guard and former first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft in Markelle Fultz, Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant, two-time NBA champ and center Quinn Cook, and 2018 & 2019 NBA All-Star and Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo.

The Hokies are hiring Jones to help with the development of their current players as well as their potential future stars. He will also help bring in some efficient recruiting as the Hokies have not been ranked higher than eighth in the ACC in the last four National Signing Days. The best recruiting class in the last five years was in 2017 when Virginia Tech was ranked fifth in the ACC.

Virginia Tech has seen only one of its players selected in the NBA Draft since 2013. With the inclusion of Jones to the Hokies’ program, they hope to develop high-caliber players that could help them compete for an ACC Conference title in the regular season and tournament as well as develop them into potential NBA contributors. Jones knows how to develop winning teams and he knows the region very well. This is a solid hire for the Hokies and one where third-year head coach Mike Young can rely on during the offseason and regular season.