James Jones (basketball, born 1964) facts for kids
Jones in 2025
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| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Yale |
| Conference | Ivy League |
| Record | 418–319 (.567) |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | February 20, 1964 Long Island, New York, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1982–1986 | Albany |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1990–1995 | Albany (assistant) |
| 1995–1997 | Yale (assistant) |
| 1997–1999 | Ohio (assistant) |
| 1999–present | Yale |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 418–319 (.567) |
| Tournaments | 2–5 (NCAA Division I) 1–2 (NIT) 4–2 (CIT) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 7 Ivy League regular season (2002, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2025) 4 Ivy League tournament (2019, 2022, 2024, 2025) |
|
| Awards | |
| Hugh Durham Award (2016) Ben Jobe Award (2019) 4× Ivy League Coach of the Year (2015, 2016, 2020, 2023) |
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James Fitzgerald Jones (born February 20, 1964) is a famous American college basketball coach. He is currently the head coach for the Yale University men's basketball team.
James Jones was born on Long Island, New York. He played college basketball at SUNY Albany. Before becoming a coach, he worked in sales for a company called NCR Corporation.
In 1999, James Jones became the head coach for Yale University's men's basketball team. He has led the team to many exciting victories.
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Big Wins and Achievements
Coach Jones is known for leading his teams to surprising wins in big tournaments.
- In 2016, his Yale Bulldogs team beat the fifth-seeded Baylor University Bears in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. This was a huge upset!
- Again, in 2024, Coach Jones and the Bulldogs surprised everyone by beating the fourth-seeded Auburn University Tigers in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
These wins show how well he prepares his team to compete against top schools.
Coaching Influence and Awards
James Jones is a respected coach who has helped many other coaches grow.
- Five of his assistant coaches have gone on to become head coaches at other universities. This includes Ted Hotaling (University of New Haven) and Rob Senderoff (Kent State University).
He has also received many awards for his coaching skills:
- In 2015, he was added to the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.
- He has been named the Ivy League Coach of the Year four times (in 2015, 2016, 2020, and 2023).
- He has also won the NABC District 13 Coach of the Year award three times.
Family in Basketball
James Jones isn't the only coach in his family. His brother, Joe Jones, is also a men's college basketball head coach. Joe currently coaches at Boston University.
Yale Bulldogs Coaching Record Summary
James Jones has been the head coach for the Yale Bulldogs since 1999. As of the 2024-25 season, his overall record is 418 wins and 319 losses. In the Ivy League, his team has won 225 games and lost 125.
Under his leadership, Yale has won:
- 7 Ivy League regular season championships (2002, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2025)
- 4 Ivy League tournament championships (2019, 2022, 2024, 2025)
His teams have also played in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament several times, making it to the Round of 32 twice.
