Bob Jones (basketball, born 1940)

Bob Jones

Biographical details
Born	(1940-02-20)February 20, 1940 Bellevue, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	May 14, 2021(2021-05-14) (aged 81) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Playing career
1959–1962	Georgetown (KY)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1965–1967	Georgetown (KY) (assistant)
1967–1972	Kentucky Wesleyan (assistant)
1972–1980	Kentucky Wesleyan
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1972–1980	Kentucky Wesleyan
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
NCAA Division II Tournament (1973)
Awards
NABC Division II Coach of the Year (1973)

Robert Earl Jones^[1] (February 20, 1940 – May 14, 2021) was an American college basketball coach who was a men's head coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College. He played basketball at Georgetown College in Kentucky. He worked two years as assistant coach at Georgetown College before becoming assistant-coach with the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers in 1967. In 1972, he was promoted to head coach, after the resignation of Bob Daniels. Jones was also named the school's athletic director, succeeding William Douglas, who had resigned earlier in the year.^[2][3][4]

Jones was fired as head coach in December 1979, but agreed to finish the season. On February 25, 1980, he coached his last game at Kentucky Wesleyan.^[5] He was hampered in his career by ailment and accusations of unenthusiastic recruiting.^[6] Jones resigned as athletic director in July.^[7]

Jones brought The Panthers to the 1973 NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship.^[8]

Jones died in Cincinnati on May 14, 2021, at age 81.^[9]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview

Season	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Postseason
Kentucky Wesleyan (Independent) (1972–1978)
1972–73	Kentucky Wesleyan	24–6			NCAA Div II Champion
1973–74	Kentucky Wesleyan	20–6			NCAA Div II Sweet 16
1974–75	Kentucky Wesleyan	12–13
1975–76	Kentucky Wesleyan	14–11
1976–77	Kentucky Wesleyan	11–14
1977–78	Kentucky Wesleyan	14–11
Kentucky Wesleyan (Great Lakes Valley Conference) (1978–1980)
1978–79	Kentucky Wesleyan	12–14	2–6	5th
1979–80	Kentucky Wesleyan	12–15	4–6	4th
Kentucky Wesleyan:		119–90	6–12
Total:		119–90
National champion         Postseason invitational champion         Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion       Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion       Conference tournament champion

References

1. "Robert Jones Obituary (1940–2021) – Alexandria, KY – Kentucky Enquirer".
2. Beattie, Leal (April 25, 1972). "Bob Jones Elevated To Head Coach Spot". Messenger-Inquirer. p. A-1. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspaper.com.
3. "Wesleyan assistant Bob Jones promoted". United Press International. April 25, 1972. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
4. "Boles named Wesleyan assistant". Evansville Press. May 31, 1972. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
5. "Bob Jones wins his final game". Evansville Press. February 26, 1980. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
6. Happy Days Are Here Again
7. "Jones resigns as AD at KWC". Messenger-Inquirer. July 20, 1980. p. B-1. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
8. Championship History
9. Pickerill, Roy (May 14, 2021). "Former Kentucky Wesleyan College Basketball Coach Bob Jones Passes Away". Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletic Communications Office. Retrieved May 15, 2021.