Limestone College Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Cerino has announced that Brandon Scott has resigned as the head men’s basketball coach and that associate head coach Marquintus Jones will take over the program as the interim head coach effective immediately.
Scott, who spent four years as a player at Limestone followed by 11 seasons as the head men’s basketball coach, has been named an assistant principal and athletic director at East Henderson High School in neighboring North Carolina. He graduated from East Henderson before attending Limestone.
“I would personally like to thank Coach Scott for his many years of service to Limestone College, and for the tireless work and dedication that he has put into building a respected basketball program,” said Cerino. “We wish him and his family nothing but the best as they move on to this next chapter.”
Jones will take over as the interim head coach for the 2018-19 campaign after serving as the assistant coach and then associate head coach for the past 12 seasons. During his time on the sidelines with the Blue and Gold, he has helped lead the Saints to six 20-win seasons, four NCAA Tournament appearances, three Conference Carolinas Tournament Championships, and two regular season titles.
“I am extremely honored to be named the interim head coach at my alma mater,” said Jones. “Limestone has played a big part in my life, first as a student-athlete and then as a coach, and I’m very thankful to Dr. Parker and Coach Cerino for giving me this opportunity. It will be bittersweet not working with Coach Scott this season as he has been a great mentor, but I am super excited to take on the head coaching duties.”
A two-time all-conference selection during his playing career at Limestone, Jones still ranks ninth in team history in scoring with 1,255 career points. After graduating with a degree in Physical Education in 2006, he joined the staff of former head coach Larry Epperly before serving on Scott’s staff for 11 seasons.
He has coached 18 All-Conference Carolinas selections and 10 All-Southeast Region award winners during his tenure. Jones has also mentored an All-American in Jarrell Douglass while working with four 1,000-point scorers, including Shaq Dance who ranks second in team history with 2,000 career points.
“Coach Jones will do a tremendous job with the program as we make this transition,” said Cerino. “He has invested a lot of time in developing relationships with our past, present and future student-athletes, and I believe that he is the right choice to lead us through the coming season.”
Scott, who graduated with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Limestone, wraps up a storied career with the Blue and Gold with a 176-147 overall record. He guided the program to unprecedented heights during his 11 seasons at the helm with a total of four NCAA Tournament appearances.
He led the Saints to the program’s first conference tournament championship in 2011, and then the team’s first regular season title in 23 years during the 2012-13 season. Overall, Limestone posted five 20-win campaigns during Scott’s tenure, including a 27-win season in 2016-17.
One of the best Limestone teams ever, the 2016-17 squad swept the Conference Carolinas Regular Season and Tournament Championships with a 27-6 overall mark while collecting the program’s first ever NCAA Tournament win with a 100-85 decision over UNC Pembroke in the opening round.
The 2013 Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year, Scott ranks second all-time in team history in career wins (176), games coached (323), and winning percentage (.545). He has coached two Conference Carolinas Defensive Players of the Year while 15 of his players have earned all-conference honors.
Altogether, he has mentored five players that have combined for 10 All-Southeast Region accolades and one consensus All-American in Jarrell Douglass. Additionally, 13 of his players were selected to the Conference Carolinas All-Tournament Team with Douglass, Dance, and PJ Foster all earning MVP.
“This was a difficult decision as Limestone has given me way more than I could ever give it,” said Scott. “I’m so thankful for all the faculty and staff that I have been blessed to work with these past 12 years. I am grateful to have worked with Coach Jones, Coach (Josh) Davis, and Coach (Jake) Pickett, and all of our fantastic players who made up our basketball family. All of you hold a very special place in my heart.”
Coach Jones and the Saints will begin preparing for the 2018-19 season in the coming weeks as they get ready for the opening tip-off on Friday, November 9 at the SAC/Conference Carolinas Challenge.
