Former Butler standout Roosevelt Jones joined the UIndy staff prior to the 2020-21 season. An All-Big East performer for the crosstown Bulldogs, Jones returned to the Cirlce City after spending two seasons an assistant at IU-Kokomo, including the 2019-20 campaign as Associate Head Coach.
Jones and the Hounds made history in 2021-22, making the programs first ever appearance in the GLVC tournament title game. UIndy posted a 19-11 record overall while going 10-8 in conference play. Two Hounds earned GLVC All-Conference selections along with a pair of All-Defensive team honors. UIndy finished the year with the league’s fifth best offense and second best defense. The Hounds showed their prowess off the court as well, posting a team cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 for the fourth straight semester.
In Jones' first year with the Greyhounds, UIndy won 11 of their final 16 games to earn an improbable postseason berth, culminating in a come-from-behind win against the No. 2-ranked team in the GLVC quarterfinal. Three Hounds went on to earn postseason honors with the trio being named GLVC All-Conference honorees.
While at IUK, Jones and the Cougars amassed a 53-15 (.779) record and a pair of NAIA national tournament appearances. They reached No. 10 in the NAIA coaches poll last spring, finishing the season at No. 22 after a first-round tournament win.
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Before entering the coaching side of the game, Jones authored a stellar collegiate career at Division I Butler, etching his name all over the Bulldogs’ record book. He racked up 1,533 career points in four seasons, good for 11th all-time. He also ranks in program’s career top 10 in starts (1st), assists (4th), rebounds (5th) and steals (8th). The 6-foot-4 combo guard was awarded All-Big East Second Team honors as both a junior and a senior, as well as earning an NABC All-District nod after his final season in 2015-16.
Jones went on to play professionally for two years with the Canton Charge, the G- League affiliate of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, while additionally training players during the offseason in his hometown of O’Fallon, Ill.
