Liberty has announced the hiring of Rob Jones as associate head coach. Jones comes to Lynchburg and the Flames from the University of Richmond where he has been the associate head coach since 2015. He replaces Brad Soucie, a longtime assistant at Liberty and under head coach Ritchie McKay, who stepped away from the basketball program following the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
Jones has been at Richmond since 2005, serving under head coach Chris Mooney. He began his tenure with the Spiders as Director of Basketball Operations, a position he held until 2008 when he was promoted to assistant coach. In 2015, Jones was elevated to the title of Associate Head Coach which he has held since then.
“I am really excited about the addition of Coach Jones to our basketball program and to our campus,” said Coach McKay in a school release. “I have known Rob for years and I really admire not only the basketball acumen that he brings to a program but even more impressed with the person he is. To be able to get an individual of Rob’s caliber from a place that he has served so well in a place that has seen so much success speaks volumes to Liberty University and the type of people we can attract here. I know he will add great value to our players’ lives and our family.”
During his 17 seasons at Richmond, Jones helped guide the Spiders to seven 20-win seasons, nine postseason appearances and final national rankings of No. 25 in 2009-10 and No. 21 in 2010-11. Prior to his time at Richmond, Jones was an assistant coach at the University of Alabama-Huntsville from 2004-2005.
“I am grateful to Coach McKay for the opportunity to join his coaching staff and to work with this talented group of people,” Jones said in a statement. “I have known and respected Coach McKay for quite some time, and after having the privilege of getting to know him on a more personal level over the past few years, I have developed an even greater appreciation for him as a man and leader. The Liberty basketball program’s strong foundation is evident. I am excited to be a part of what the future holds and eager to get to work, with the daily pursuit of excellence both on and off the floor.”
Additionally, McKay has promoted assistant coach Derek Johnston to associate head coach. Zach Farquhar will now serve as the Director of Player Development, taking the place of Kevin Anderson who is no longer with the program. Sam Thomas is now the Director of Operations and Luke McKay has been promoted to video coordinator.
