After 32 remarkable seasons at the helm, Old Dominion coach Jeff Jones has announced his retirement from the sport, the school confirmed on Monday.
Jones, whose coaching journey was marked by moments of resilience and success, faced health challenges throughout the recently concluded season. His decision to retire follows multiple hiatuses prompted by health issues.
Most notably, Jones experienced a heart attack in December prior to Old Dominion’s participation in the Diamond Head Classic in Hawaii. Last month, he disclosed the need to step away for the remainder of the 2023-24 season to undergo prostate cancer treatments.
This battle with prostate cancer was not unfamiliar to Jones, as he had previously confronted the diagnosis in 2015 and again in 2018. During his absence, assistant coach Kieran Donohue admirably assumed interim leadership of the program.
A career to remember 🏆
✍️ 560 Career Wins (263 at Old Dominion)
✍️ 2x Coach of the Year (09’ American, 19’ C-USA)
✍️ 8 NCAA Tournament Appearances
✍️ Lead 3 Different Programs to NCAA Tournament
✍️ Lead Old Dominion to 1st ever Top 25 Ranking in 2015
✍️ Retires as 19th… pic.twitter.com/Cj6wTDf4J6— ODU Men’s Basketball (@ODU_MBB) February 26, 2024
Jones began his tenure at Old Dominion in 2013 and has since presided over the Monarchs for 11 seasons, amassing a commendable 203-131 record. Notably, under his guidance, the team clinched both regular-season and conference tournament titles in 2019, resulting in their sole NCAA tournament appearance during his tenure.
Prior to his tenure at Old Dominion, Jones held coaching positions at American University for 13 seasons and Virginia for eight seasons. His illustrious career boasts a total of 560 victories, including six regular-season conference championships, eight NCAA tournament berths, and a triumphant NIT title in 1992.
Reflecting on his retirement, Jones expressed gratitude for his four-decade-long coaching career, emphasizing the profound impact basketball has had on his life. He conveyed appreciation to the countless individuals who contributed to his journey, from players and assistants to administrators, fans, and loved ones.
As Old Dominion concludes its current season with a 7-22 record, placing them at the bottom of the Sun Belt standings, Jones’s retirement marks the end of an era.
The Monarchs will wrap up their regular-season campaign this week against Appalachian State and Georgia Southern, closing a chapter in the program’s storied history under Jones’s esteemed leadership.
