Carthage College Athletic Director Ryan Kane announced hiring Megan Jones as Carthage’s next head women’s basketball coach, becoming the 16th head coach in program history.
Jones comes to Carthage after being the head coach at Monmouth College since 2021. During her tenure at Monmouth, the Scots finished sixth during the 2022-23 season and second during her inaugural season. While at Monmouth, Jones coached the 2021-22 Midwest Conference Player of the Year, had one D3Hoops.com Second Team All-Region selection, and three All-Conference honors.
In addition, Jones had six student-athletes named to the MWC All-Academic team and one College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Honor.
“I would like to thank Director of Athletics Ryan Kane and the search committee for their belief in me to lead the Carthage women’s basketball program,” said Jones.
“I am very grateful for all the coaching mentors that have helped prepare me for this opportunity. Carthage is positioned for great success with a beautiful campus, impressive academic programs, and competing at the highest level in the CCIW. I am passionate about the Division III student-athlete experience and empowering strong, young women. I cannot wait to get to work building on the tradition that has been established within the women’s basketball program.”
Before joining the Scots, Jones was an assistant women’s basketball coach at Luther College from 2018-21. During her time there, the team finished third in 2019-20 and fourth in 2018-19. Jones coached the three-time A-R-C Defensive Player of the Year and coached six student-athletes who collected eight All-Conference honors. 10 student-athletes earned 15 A-R-C All-Academic team honors and coached two 1,000-point scores and the all-time career assists record holder.
Jones played basketball at Loras College, graduating in 2016. During her four years with the Duhawks, the program won 71 games, won a conference title, and made the NCAA Division III National Tournament twice. A graduate of Ridgeview High School, Jones played on the team that finished third at state in 2008-09 and 2010-11. In 2012, Jones was an Illinois High School Heisman Top-12 finalist and IBCA 1A All-State and AP All-State selection. During that year, Jones was named the State Farm Female Athlete of the Year.
“Coach Jones stood out amongst a stellar group of candidates to be the next head coach of Carthage women’s basketball and carry on the proud tradition that was left behind by Tim Bernero” Director of Athletics Ryan Kane said. “She brings with her a unique skill set formed from her background as a player and coach. Having grown up around the game and mentored by some of the best coaches in our game. She has successfully recruited and developed NCAA Division III student-athletes. Lastly, she understands our region and the quality necessary to compete in the CCIW. I am excited about this next chapter in Carthage Women’s Basketball!”
Jones earned a master’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in sports psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
The hire comes after the departure of Tim Bernero, the program leader for wins at 311, who spent the last 20 seasons at the helm of the Carthage women’s basketball team. Bernero ranks fourth in the CCIW record book for most wins amongst CCIW coaches. Bernero was a three-time CCIW Coach of the Year Award winner and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Central Region “Coach of the Year” award winner in 2014.
The team led the nation in field-goal percentage in 2010 (.468) and 2012 (.462). In 2014, Carthage led NCAA Division III in three-point field-goal percentage (.393) and finished second in field-goal percentage (Carthage record .497). The team won a school-record 26 games en route to a second-straight CCIW championship and won a second-consecutive CCIW Women’s Basketball Tournament title. The 2014 team appeared in its third NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship “Sweet 16” in the previous five seasons and finished the year ranked eighth in the national poll. Bernero’s teams had an 8-5 record in NCAA tournament play.
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