May 7, 2001

MILWAUKEE - Former University of Toledo assistant coach Tony Jones has been named the associate head men's basketball coach at UWM, head coach Bruce Pearl announced today.

Jones spent the last five seasons at the associate head coach at Toledo.

"This is just a great opportunity," Jones said. "I'm ecstatic to be working with Bruce Pearl, who I consider to be a close friend and a dynamic coach. I'm looking forward to the upcoming season and helping to build the program."

Jones, 41, joined the Toledo staff after three years as assistant head coach at the University of Buffalo. He also served as head coach of Team AAU Michigan for three years, where he guided teams to a 35-1 win-loss mark during that time period. He also was assistant varsity coach and head junior varsity coach at Detroit Southwestern High School, his alma mater, from 1986-1991.

At the high school level, Jones coached future NBA stars Jalen Rose (Indiana Pacers), Howard Eisley (Utah Jazz) and Voshon Lenard (Miami Heat), capturing two AAU state championships and the mythical national title in 1991, selected by USA Today.

Jones was an all-city star at Southwestern and went on to earn All-America honors at Fisk University in Nashville. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in health care administration from Concordia (Mich.) College, where he earned the distinction of being named to the National Dean's List. An avid reader who enjoys golfing, Jones dreams of writing a book on motivation.

Jones and his wife, Pam, are the parents of Tony II (18), Jamaal (17), Mercedes (14) and Porscha (9). His brother, Bill, a former member of the NBA's New Jersey Nets, plays professionally in Italy.

"Our university is very fortunate to have attracted one of the top assistant coaches in the country," Pearl said. "Tony brings a wealth of experience at this level, and his contacts in the region make him a highly effective recruiter. I am delighted to have him on my bench."