Washburn men’s basketball coach has announced Nick Jones will join the Ichabod coaching staff for the upcoming season. Jones spent the last four seasons at Wichita State where he was the program’s Director of Player Development and his eighth overall, having previously served as Video Coordinator (2017-19) and Graduate Manager (2015-17).
“Coach Jones was highly recommend by all of the coaches that he has worked with and considering the level he was at and the respect I have for the coaches that he has worked for, that made the decision to hire him almost a no-brainer,” Ballard said. “He has worked with some elite players and brings experience in player development along with a great skill set and knowledge that will enhance our daily operations. Nick has great connections and has developed meaningful relationships with the players he has worked with. I believe that coach Jones will be a great mentor and role model for our current and future players and I feel very fortunate that we were able to add him to our staff!”
As Director of Player Development, Jones had a wide-range of responsibilities tied to the overall student-athlete experience, including the coordination of practice schedules, training table and community service activities. He also assisted the coaching staff with video scouting reports and strategy.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join Coach Ballard’s staff and the Washburn family,” Jones said. “Coach Ballard is a proven winner who has a track record of developing student athletes on and off the court. My family and I are looking forward to connecting with the Topeka community.”
The Shockers went 175-79 in the eight seasons since Jones’ arrival with five postseason trips. WSU made NCAA tournament appearances in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021 and reached the semifinals of the 2019 NIT.
Jones played an important behind-the-scenes role, helping the WSU coaches analyze and evaluate the team’s practices and games and scout upcoming opponents through video and statistical breakdowns. In addition to Gregg Marshall and Isaac Brown at Wichita State, some of his early mentors include current NCAA Division I head coaches Chris Jans (Mississippi State), Donnie Jones (Stetson) and Greg Heiar (New Mexico State).
Prior to arriving at WSU, Jones spent the 2014-15 season at the University of Hawaii as its men’s basketball video coordinator graduate assistant. In addition to overseeing all video aspects, he coordinated the team’s player development, assisting with paper and video scouts, recording practice and game statistics, and leading a team of student managers. In addition, Jones assisted with the team’s campus outreach with the goal of improving student attendance and participation at home basketball games.
Jones’ lone season at Hawaii was a successful one. The Rainbow Warriors went 22-13 and finished a victory shy of the NCAA Tournament after reaching the finals of the 2015 Big West Tournament.
From 2009 to 2014, Jones served as a student manager for the men’s basketball program at Kansas State under head coaches Frank Martin and Bruce Weber. In 2012 Jones was elevated to head manager. During his tenure, K-State had a 121-51 record and made five straight NCAA tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight trip in 2010. The 2013 Wildcats brought home a share of the Big 12 regular season title.
Jones is a Wichita native and a graduate of Goddard High School. He earned a master’s degree in sport management from Wichita State in 2016. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Kansas State University in 2014, with a minor in leadership studies and also completed a coaching certificate.
Nick and his wife, Miranda, reside in Topeka.
