Sarah Jones, a former team captain and player in the Big East Conference, has joined the Loyola University Maryland women’s basketball staff as an assistant coach, Head Coach Joe Logan announced.
"We are pleased to welcome Sarah to Loyola where she will be an excellent mentor to our student athletes on and off the court," Logan said. "She has a passion for helping young people reach their goals. On the court, Sarah played in the old Big East, one of the best basketball conferences in the country. Sarah’s experiences will be a tremendous asset to our program, and we are excited for her to begin working with our players and the entire Loyola community."
Jones was a member of the Villanova University women’s basketball program from 2007-2012 and served as team captain for the Wildcats in 2012 as they advanced to the Women’s NIT. A three-time Big East All-Academic First Team honoree, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in human services from the Philadelphia-area school in 2011 and a Master of Science in secondary school counseling two years later.
"I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Loyola family," Jones said. "I appreciate Coach Logan, (Associate Athletic Director) Teddi Burns, and the rest of the Loyola administration for believing in what I can bring to the program. Loyola is a school that I have admired because of its great reputation, and I am excited about the upcoming season and the noise the Greyhounds will make in the conference."
Jones played on three Villanova teams that reached postseason play. The 2009 Harry Perretta-coached Wildcats earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament, while the 2008 and 2012 teams played in the WNIT.
In her four seasons of competition – her senior campaign was cut short due to injury – Jones played in 88 games, starting eight as a guard, and averaged 11.5 minutes per game. She scored a career-high 15 points in a January 2010 game versus Seton Hall University, a game in which she made a career-best four 3-pointers.
"Sarah Jones is a talented young coach who is passionate about the sport of basketball," said Perretta. "Sarah has all the skills necessary to succeed in the coaching profession. Her knowledge of the game is very advanced for a coach of her age, and she also has the ability to relate with and motivate the players she is working with."
Following her graduation from Villanova in 2012, Jones became a graduate assistant coach for the program, working with the staff in practice planning, while assisting the operations director in travel, the freshmen’s acclimation to college life, and camp.
She spent the 2013-2014 season as an assistant coach at Morehead State University where she was the team’s offensive coordinator and position coach for guards and wing players. Jones also served as the Eagles’ academic liaison, social media coordinator and Elite Camp director.
Prior to Villanova, Jones was a McDonald’s High School All-America nominee at Central High School in Philadelphia.
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