Gator Baseball Hires Another Assistant Coach
Monday, June 25, 2001 | Baseball
Ross Jones, former assistant coach at the University of North Florida, will join the University of Florida baseball staff as an assistant coach, head coach Pat McMahon announced Monday. Jones fills the second of two assistant positions on the Gator baseball staff as McMahon announced the appointment of former Northwestern State (La.) head coach John Cohen Thursday.
"Ross is an outstanding coach," said McMahon who was hired as the Gator head coach on June 13, but is currently coaching the USA Baseball National Team in Japan. "He is a terrific recruiter who brings with him so many Florida ties. He was also an outstanding player."
Jones joins the Gator baseball program with 10-years of collegiate coaching experience. He spent a total of four years and two stints at the University of North Florida (2000-01 and 1992-93) and six seasons as the pitching/recruiting coordinator at Vanderbilt (1994-1999). Over the last two seasons, Jones helped lead North Florida to back-to-back appearances at the NCAA Division II College World Series along with two Peach Belt Conference titles.
"This is a dream come true for me," Jones said. "I grew up a huge Gator fan, my mother graduated from the University of Florida. I am excited and looking forward to working with a first-class individual in Pat McMahon and to become a member of the Gator baseball family."
Jones began his collegiate coaching career when he moved to the University of North Florida as an assistant coach in 1992. His 1992 UNF pitching staff led the nation in team ERA (1.60) at all levels of college baseball. The 1992 and 1993 teams spent more than six weeks ranked No. 1 in the nation in the NCAA Division II polls. Jones then went to Vanderbilt where he served as the associate coach (pitching coach/recruiting coordinator) for six seasons. During his time with the Commodores, Jones established himself as one of the nation's top recruiters as three of his recruiting classes earned national honors, culminating with the 1998 class that earned a No. 16 ranking by Collegiate Baseball.
After graduating from Palatka High School, Jones was drafted by the Texas Rangers in June, 1984. He spent seven years in the Texas Rangers and Montreal Expos minor league organizations before beginning his coaching career.
Jones, a 35-year old native of Palatka, Fla., is married to the former Stephanie Lynn Nalley, also a Palatka native. The couple has two sons, Tyler (nine) and Hunter (6).
THE ROSS JONES FILE
Hometown: Palatka, Fla.
Education: Currently pursuing Master's degree; Bachelor's degree, University of North Florida, 1993; Palatka High School, 1984.
Playing Career:
Retired from professional baseball in 1991… Played with the Southern League's Jacksonville Expos for three years from 1988-1991… Ranked among Southern League's top-10 in several categories including innings pitched, ERA and strikeouts… Traded from Texas Rangers to Montreal Expos in 1988… Played under manager Felipe Alou and played with teammates Larry Walker, Randy Johnson, Marquis Grissom and Delino Deshields… Played four and a half years in the Texas Rangers minor league system where he was named the organization's Pitcher of the Month three times and South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month two times during the 1987… … Played with several major league stars including Juan Gonzalez, Sammy Sosa, Kevin Brown and Dean Palmer… Drafted by Texas Rangers in the June 1984 MLB draft out of high school… Attended Palatka High School.
Coaching Career:
Head Baseball Coach, Crescent City High School, 1991
Assistant Coach/Pitching, University of North Florida, 1992-1993
Assistant Coach/Pitching/Recruiting Coordinator, Vanderbilt University, 1994-1999
Assistant Coach, University of North Florida, 2000-2001
Assistant Coach, University of Florida, 2001-Current
Coaching Highlights:
· 10 years of collegiate coaching experience (Six at Vanderbilt/four at North Florida)
· Helped lead North Florida to back-to-back NCAA Division II College World Series appearances and Peach Belt Conference titles
· Three recruiting classes at Vanderbilt earned national acclaim including a No. 16 national ranking by Collegiate Baseball in 1998 (No. 20 in 1995, No. 24 in 1997 and No. 16 in 1998)
· Served on USA Junior National Team selection committee from 1996-98
· Led Crescent City High School to a 24-7 record along with district and regional championships
