Friends University VP of Athletics & Strategic Expansion Dr. Rob Ramseyer has announced the hiring of Washburn University assistant coach Nick Jones as the school’s new men’s basketball head coach.
“Nick rose to the top of a deep candidate pool, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to lead Falcon basketball,” said Dr. Ramseyer. “He comes to us from a 31-2 team that won its conference title this year and made a Final Four run the previous season. He’s learned the game under championship-level coaches at every stop and is a Wichita native who values academics and brings his faith to his coaching. Nick is the right person to keep building on the strong foundation Phil established.”
A Wichita native, Jones returns home following a three-year stint as assistant coach for the NCAA D-II Washburn Ichabods, a MIAA program in Topeka, Kan.
This past season, Jones helped the Ichabods become one of the best teams in D-II, finishing with a record of 31-2 that included MIAA regular season and tournament championships along with a berth in the NCAA Central Regional quarterfinal round.
The previous year saw the Ichabods advance even further in the postseason, winning the NCAA Central Regional title and making it to the national semifinals before finishing with a 30-4 mark.
Overall in Jones’ three years on staff, the Ichabods were 80-17.
Prior to arriving at Washburn, Jones spent eight seasons at Wichita State University, including serving as Director of Player Development during his final four seasons. He also had roles as WSU’s Video Coordinator (2017-19) and Graduate Manager (2015-17).
The WSU Shockers posted a record of 175-79 during Jones’ time on staff and earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament four times (2016, 2017, 2018, 2021) while advancing to the semifinals of the NIT Tourney in 2019.
Jones’ coaching career began in earnest with a role as the University of Hawaii’s video coordinator graduate assistant during the 2014-15 season after serving as a student manager for Kansas State University from 2009-14 under head coaches Frank Martin and Bruce Weber.
He is a graduate of nearby Goddard High School and received his bachelor’s degree in business management from Kansas State University in 2014 before earning a master’s degree in sports management from Wichita State University in 2016.
“I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Friends University men’s basketball program,” said Jones. “I want to thank Dr. (President Amy Bragg) Carey, Dr. Ramseyer, Coach (Dale) Faber and everyone involved for believing in my vision for this program.
Friends University represents values that that are most important to my family and I: Faith, relationships, service, and excellence. From the very beginning of this process, it was clear that this is a place where young people can grow into leaders and make a lasting impact. My family and I are excited to become part of the Falcon community.”
