Familiar Surroundings: Jones Returns to Alma Mater Louisiana State

April 15th, 2012 - 20:52

Johnny Jones, a former player and assistant coach for Louisiana State, returned to his alma mater after leaving North Texas. Jones joined UNLV's Dave Rice as the only active coaches to have played for their alma mater in the Final Four.

A total of 12 NCAA Division I coaches in the previous three years were put in charge of their alma mater's basketball fortunes. Following is an alphabetical list of active head coaches and the first season they coached their alma mater:

Active Coach Alma Mater 1st Year
Jerome Allen Pennsylvania '95 2009-10
*Dave Bike Sacred Heart '69 1978-79
*Jim Boeheim Syracuse '66 1976-77
Bobby Braswell Cal State Northridge '84 1996-97
Jamion Christian Mount St. Mary's '04 2012-13
Mick Cronin Cincinnati '96 2006-07
Scott Cross Texas-Arlington '98 2006-07
Keith Dambrot Akron '82 2004-05
Howie Dickenman Central Connecticut State '69 1996-97
Bryce Drew Valparaiso '98 2011-12
Willie Hayes Alabama A&M '90 2011-12
Mitch Henderson Princeton '98 2011-12
Fred Hoiberg Iowa State '95 2010-11
Bob Huggins West Virginia '77 2007-08
Lewis Jackson Alabama State '84 2005-06
Clemon Johnson Florida A&M '78 2011-12
Johnny Jones Louisiana State '85 2012-13
Brian Katz Sacramento State '80 2008-09
Derek Kellogg Massachusetts '95 2008-09
Rob Krimmel Saint Francis (PA) '00 2012-13
Chris Mack Xavier '92 2009-10
Mike Martin Brown '04 2012-13
LeVelle Moton North Carolina Central '96 2009-10
Dan Muller Illinois State '98 2012-13
Matt Painter Purdue '93 2005-06
Dave Rice UNLV '91 2011-12
Keith Richard Louisiana-Monroe '82 2010-11
Lorenzo Romar Washington '80 2002-03
Marty Simmons Evansville '88 2007-08
*Bob Thomason Pacific '71 1988-89
Wayne Tinkle Montana '89 2006-07
Roy Williams North Carolina '72 2003-04
Marty Wilson Pepperdine '89 2011-12
C.Y. Young Georgia Southern '94 2009-10

*School's all-time winningest coach

Jones departs with six years remaining on his Mean Green contract. He joins the following striking number of coaches who virtually ignored contractural obligations of more than five years (including Xavier three times):