June 2, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Derrick Jones, a standout forward on the Samford University basketball team from 1999-01, officially returned to his alma mater on Thursday as the former Bulldog player was named an assistant coach at Samford, announced Head Coach Jimmy Tillette. Also, long-time assistant Paul Kelly was promoted to the associate head coaching position heading into his ninth season.

"Derrick will be a great addition to our coaching staff," said Tillette. "He played on our most recent NCAA Tournament team and has a comprehensive understanding of the offense. As a graduate of Samford, he knows what it takes to succeed in this environment and he will be able to hit the ground running in our system."

Jones, a key member of Samford's 1999-00 NCAA Tournament squad, joins the Bulldog coaching staff on Thursday after spending the previous two seasons as the primary assistant coach at John Ehret High School in Marrero, La.

Jones was also the Junior Varsity Head Coach at John Ehret where he played a critical role in developing the young talent at the high school. In just two years at JEHS, he helped revamp a team that went 13-13 during the 2003-04 season improve to the No. 2-ranked squad in Louisiana's talent-laden 5A level.

In 2004-05, the Patriots turned in one of their best seasons in school history as they finished with a 27-4 overall record.

Jones, a native of Erwinville, La., was a highly-recruited prep athlete coming out of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., and played for Mississippi State during the first two seasons of his collegiate career.

After leading all Mississippi State freshmen in scoring during the 1996-97 season, Jones transferred to Samford in 1998 and went on to average 13.8 points per game for the Bulldogs as a senior in 2000-01.

"I'm really excited about the great opportunity that I have to learn under both Coach Tillette and Coach Kelly, and I can't wait to get started," said Jones. "It's a wonderful atmosphere at Samford and I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to return to my alma mater."

Jones is expected to be the main recruiting assistant at Samford and his day-to-day activities will include handling the team's travel plans, film-exchange scheduling and on-floor coaching.

Also on Thursday, Kelly, who joined the Bulldogs' coaching staff as an assistant coach prior to the 1997-98 season, was named Associate Head Coach, as he enters his ninth season at Samford. During his tenure, he has played an integral role for the Bulldogs and proved to be a key component in the team's NCAA Tournament appearances in both 1999 and 2000.

His main duties include recruiting, scouting and on-court coaching. He also runs the trendsetting Samford summer basketball camp that draws more than 600 participants each year.

"Paul has been an instrumental member of our staff for a long time now and this promotion is much deserved," Tillette said. "He plays a major role in every facet of our basketball program and a great part of our successes that we've had can be attributed to his hard work and ability."

The Samford University basketball team completed its 2004-05 campaign with a 15-13 overall record and a 10-6 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play. The Bulldogs finished the season as the fourth-place team in the conference and hosted a first-round tournament game for the first time in school history.

In the upcoming 2005-06 season, Samford will boast three returning starters from last year's squad, along with eight returning lettermen, four talented incoming freshmen and the services of highly-touted redshirt freshman Jason Black. The Bulldogs will also have their top three scorers returning, as well as their top two rebounders.

Derrick Jones Timeline

Years, Pos., School
1996-98, Player, Mississippi State
1999-01, Player, Samford
2003-05, Assistant Coach, John Ehret High School (Marrero, La.)
2005-present, Assistant Coach, Samford

Paul Kelly Timeline

Years, Pos., School
1987-94, Assistant Coach, Catholic High School (Baton Rouge, La.)
1994-97, Associate Head Coach, McNeese State
1997-05, Assistant Coach, Samford
2005-present, Associate Head Coach, Samford