Texas Southern introduces Johnny Jones at afternoon press conference

June 27, 2018

Wednesday afternoon, Texas Southern University introduced Johnny Jones as the new head coach of the TSU men's basketball program. Jones is the 15th men's basketball coach in school history.

TSU President Dr. Austin Lane and Vice President of Athletics Dr. Charles McClelland took a few minutes to welcome Coach Jones and his wife daughter to the media, family friends, and alums in attendance.

"We will play a demanding schedule, Coach Jones said during the press conference; but, at the same time, we are going to certainly have some balance in our schedule and make sure that we get some home games so our fans can certainly enjoy prior to conference play."


"We need buy-in from our fanbase," Jones continued. We want ownership from our fanbase because we feel like if they've got ownership, then, the investment will be so much better in terms of what we're doing."


"I've got to get three full-time assistant coaches & hopefully, a great support staff that will be around us and that's something I'm eagerly waiting to get started on." Coach Jones adds: "Probably 4 or 5 roster spots that we're going to have to fill."


Prior to arriving at Texas Southern, Jones served as associate head coach at the University of Nevada during the 2017-'18 season. There, he helped guide the Wolf Pack program to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Jones' one year at Nevada followed a five-year span at LSU where he served as head coach compiling a 90-72 record. Jones took LSU to one NCAA Tournament in five seasons before being replaced by current LSU coach Will Wade.

Before his tenure as head coach at LSU, Jones was head coach at the University of North Texas for 11 seasons. While at UNT, Jones compiled a 190-146 overall record and led the Mean Green to two NCAA Tournament appearances..

During a 17 year career in which he has amassed a 295-234 overall mark he also spent one year as interim head coach at Memphis where his team went 15-16 prior to him taking the head coaching job at North Texas.

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