UIndy men’s basketball first-year head coach Paul Corsaro solidified his staff, adding former Butler standout Roosevelt Jones as an assistant this coming season. An All-Big East performer for the Bulldogs, Jones spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at IU-Kokomo, including spending the 2019-20 campaign as Associate Head Coach. Jones will assume his coaching duties on Sept. 1.
In Jones’ two years at IUK, the Cougars amassed a 53-15 (.779) record and a pair of NAIA national tournament appearances. They peaked at No. 10 in the NAIA coaches’ poll last spring before finishing the season at No. 22 after a first-round tournament win.
“IUK had an incredible stint during his two seasons,” said Corsaro of Jones’ tenure in Kokomo. “As their only full-time assistant, he showed he can shoulder a large work load and help lead a program to success.”
Added Jones: “I’m so excited for my next journey at the University of Indianapolis. I want to thank Coach Corsaro for believing that I can help keep this program going at a high level. I can’t wait to get started.”
Before entering the coaching side of the game, Jones authored a stellar collegiate career at crosstown Butler, etching his name all over the Bulldogs’ record book. He racked up 1,533 career points in four seasons, good for 11th all-time. He also ranks in program’s career top 10 in starts (first), assists (fourth), rebounds (fifth) and steals (eighth). The 6-4 combo guard was awarded All-Big East Second Team honors as both a junior and senior, as well as earning an NABC All-District nod after his final season 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.
“Roosevelt’s experiences as a player have allowed him to excel in the player-development roles in coaching,” added Corsaro. “He is an extremely competitive person who is a proven winner everywhere he’s been.”
Corsaro also announced the addition of Parker Chitty to his staff. The Columbus, Ind., native will fill the graduate assistant role for the Hounds after graduating from former GLVC-rival Bellarmine University this past spring. Primarily the sixth man for the Knights, Chitty served as a key contributor to three NCAA tournament teams, while being named to the GLVC All-Defensive Team in 2018 and again in 2020.
“Parker knows our league very well and is a son of a high school coach here in Indiana,” Corsaro noted. “I think he has a bright future ahead of him in this business.”
An Academic All-GLVC honoree, Chitty averaged 4.1 points, 2.3 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 93 career games as a Knight, leading the team in steals two of his three seasons.
“I’m thankful and honored for this opportunity,” said Chitty. “Having Coach Corsaro’s mentorship and learning from one of the best is truly a blessing. The passion and vision he sees for UIndy is so contagious, and I can’t wait to get to campus and work with the tremendous student-athletes and staff, on and off the court.”
Jones and Chitty join Mike Burris on Corsaro’s all-new coaching staff. Burris was announced as an assistant coach on May 22.
https://athletics.uindy.edu/news/2020/7/15/mens-basketball-jones-rounds-out-mens-hoops-staff.aspx
