Cementing his staff for the 2023-24 season, University of Evansville head men’s basketball coach David Ragland has announced the promotion of Roosevelt Jones to an Assistant Coach for the Purple Aces.
A former star at Butler University, Jones spent last season as the Director of Men’s Basketball Operations at UE. Before joining the Aces program, Jones was an assistant coach at the University of Indianapolis.
“I am pleased to announce the second promotion this off season for Roosevelt Jones. One of the toughest things to do in life and especially as a college basketball coach is to embrace all aspects of the job. Often times, coaches’ complete tasks that are explained as “other duties assigned” and many of those tasks are not glamorous. I was told prior to knowing Rose better that he is the ultimate teammate and I now know why after working with him,” Ragland exclaimed. “Winners, win and do so because of their willingness to sacrifice for those around them. Roosevelt is a student of the game of basketball. He understands the game, studies the game and can apply it to the court allowing student athletes to be the best version of themselves. Roosevelt will focus more on the recruiting of student athletes, on court instruction of our current roster, and assisting with the offensive game plan.”
In his first season at UE, Jones excelled in assisting the program in multiple facets ranging from travel to coaching. He worked at UIndy as an assistant over the two prior seasons and made history in 2021-22, helping the program advance to its first-ever appearance in the GLVC Tournament Championship Game. The Greyhounds were 19-11 overall and 10-8 in conference action. In his first year with the Hounds, the team won 11 of their final 16 games to advance to the postseason.
His first coaching opportunity a came at IU-Kokomo where he worked for two seasons. The Cougars were 53-15 during his tenure and recorded two NAIA National Tournament appearance. They were ranked as high as 10th nationally.
“We had a great deal of interest in our assistant coaching position. I was humbled and impressed with the quality of candidates throughout the process of filling this position. I have a huge amount of respect for a lot of guys in this profession and was able to grow closer relationships with those interested in joining our staff,” Ragland stated. “However, I am an advocate of promoting from within. Roosevelt basically interviewed all season long on the type of connector and coach he has the ability to be with our student-athletes. The fact that he knows our offensive and defensive philosophy, our programs terminology, our drills, how we function as a university and his relationships with both our returning players and newcomers led me to my decision to elevate Rose as a full-time assistant coach on our staff. I know Rose will continue to do a great job positively impacting our program.”
Prior to his coaching days, Jones enjoyed a storied playing career. The legend at Butler University completed a record-breaking career with the Bulldogs that saw him rank at or near the top in starts (1st), assists (4th), rebounds (5th), steals (8th) and points (11th). The 2-time All-Big East Second Team player earned NABC All-District accolades in 2015-16.
Jones went on to play professionally for two years with the Canton Charge, the G- League affiliate of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, while additionally training players during the offseason in his hometown of O’Fallon, Ill.
