University of North Texas Athletics
Contract Extension For Basketball Coach Johnny Jones
8/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DENTON, Texas (8/22/08) The North Texas Board of Regents approved a contract extension for head men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones that will keep him with the Mean Green through the 2012-2013 season.
Third all-time in North Texas coaching victories with 106, Jones has led Mean Green to back-to-back 20 win seasons and its second NCAA Tournament berth in 2007. Last year, North Texas fielded the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, and staged an upset over Oklahoma State in front of the largest crowd at the Super Pit since 1980 (6,793).
“Johnny Jones has done great things with Mean Green basketball since his arrival,” said North Texas director of athletics Rick Villarreal. “His success proves that we are on the right track, and extending his contract lets everybody know, including recruits, that we intend to keep him with this program.”
This contract is in addition to the five-year extension Jones signed in May of 2007 after leading North Texas to a school-record 23 wins and the NCAA Tournament. It includes guaranteed incentives for maintaining membership in the NCAA and the Sun Belt Conference as well as a personal vehicle stipend and a stipend to appear on his weekly radio show.
Jones will receive additional bonuses for winning the Sun Belt Tournament, being named the Sun Belt Coach of the Year or advancing in the NCAA Tournament.
Jones ranks second in career win percentage (.515) among North Texas coaches with over 150 total games, and last season’s attendance average of 3,178 was the most since 1988-89.
“My family and I are very appreciative of the decision of the Board of Regents, Rick Villarreal and the administration of the University of North Texas,” Jones said. “We are grateful for their trust in this basketball program and look forward to being a part of the North Texas and Denton community for a long time to come.”
