North Carolina A&T men’s basketball coach Jay Joyner has officially announced changes to his coaching staff. Joyner announced the hiring of Ahmad Dorsett as an assistant coach (first mentioned by HoopDirt.com on 7/12), while promoting Willie Jones to associate head coach (HoopDirt.com – 7/24).
Dorsett will serve as the Aggies recruiting coordinator. He will also be in charge of skill development for point guards, community service, admissions and strength and conditioning. Dorsett spent seven seasons at nearby HPU before coming to N.C. A&T.
“I’ve watched coach Dorsett over the past several years from afar and always appreciated his work ethic,” said Joyner. “Coach Dorsett helped High Point University win four consecutive conference titles and I believe he will bring that same winning attitude here. I look forward to working with him as we continue to move this program in the right direction.”
After one season at HPU, Dorsett helped the Panthers win the 2012-13 Big South Northern Division title and an appearance in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. The following season, Dorsett helped HPU win 12 of their final 14 games to win the Big South regular-season championship and an automatic bid to the National Invitation Tournament.
In 2014-15, the Panthers won a school-record 23 games overall and 13 conference contests. The same season, HPU earned their first-ever postseason win. The Panthers won 13 conference games again the following season and they made the NIT for the second time in three seasons. In winning four straight regular-season Big South titles, Dorsett helped the Panthers become one of only four Division I programs to win four regular-season conference championships in a row.
Dorsett has also had assistant coaching stints at Longwood (2003-04), Mount Olive (2008-09), Bowie State (2009-10) and Mount St. Mary’s (2010-11). He was also the head coach at Freedom High School in Woodbridge, Va., for four seasons. Dorsett played collegiately at George Mason from 1996-2000. He was an All-Colonial Athletic Association rookie team member during his career to go along with eventually being a team captain.
Over Dorsett’s two seasons at George Mason, the Patriots were 19-35. They were 38-22 over the final two years of Dorsett’s career as they won two CAA regular-season titles, a CAA tournament title and made an NCAA tournament appearance in the same span. Hailing from Long Island, N.Y., Dorsett received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science and health promotion from George Mason in 2000.
“Coach Joyner and his staff have already set this team on a successful trajectory in a short time, and I am excited to join this program as we look to win the MEAC,” said Dorsett. “Not only does A&T have an impressive academic reputation, but also an extraordinary athletics program and a passionate fan base. I am grateful to coach Joyner and Athletics Director Earl Hilton for the opportunity, and I look forward to working with our team on and off the floor and bringing more young men to join the Aggie family.”
Jones is entering his third season with the Aggies under Joyner. Jones was instrumental in 2017-18 when the Aggies had one of the best one-year improvements in NCAA history. The Aggies improved 17 games from the 2016-17 season to finish the 2017-18 season 20-15. It was the Aggies first 20-win season in five years and the Aggies advanced to the CIT to face Liberty.
As the associate head coach, Jones will work closely with Joyner on in-game coaching strategies and coordinating the Aggies defense. Other duties include scouting, skill development of wing players, assisting Joyner in establishing and enforcing team rules, manage the program’s academic progress rate and scheduling games.
