Old Dominion head coach Jeff Jones will miss the rest of the season for health-related issues.
He has been away from the team since suffering a heart attack on Dec. 20 in Honolulu, where ODU was playing in the Diamond Head Classic.
The school’s announcement late Sunday said Jones also will begin treatment for prostate cancer.
Assistant coach Kieran Donohue will continue to fill in for Jones.
“This was an extremely difficult decision to make, but I am confident that Interim Coach Kieran Donohue, the staff, and the players will continue to battle for the remainder of the season,” Jones said in a statement released by the school. I want to thank them for their hard work and resilience, and I would like to thank all of Monarch Nation for continuing to be the best fans in the league.”
Jones, 63, has been the head coach at Old Dominion since 2013 and took the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2018-19. He previously was the head coach at his alma mater, Virginia (1990-91), where he was the youngest head coach in Atlantic Coast Conference history when hired, and at American 2000-2013).
Overall he has a 557-412 record with eight tournament appearances, including an Elite 8 run in 1995 and a 1993 Sweet 16 appearance. He was Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2009, and Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2019.
“My professional relationship with Coach Jones began in 1988 and now spans five decades. His competitiveness and passion for the sport of basketball is second to none,” said Wood Selig, Old Dominion’s athletic director. “Coach Jones absolutely loves ODU, our student-athletes and staff. Therefore, I appreciate how difficult a decision stepping back is for Coach Jones. Throughout his career he has always put his team and coaching staff first. All Monarch fans and supporters should now put Coach Jones first and support his efforts to regain the health required to lead our program.”
The Monarchs are 4-13 on the season.
–Field Level Media