Derrick Jones is in his third season as an assistant coach at Samford University after spending two years at John Ehret High School in Marrero, La. Jones, who was a standout forward at Samford from 1999-01, officially returned to his alma mater on June 2, 2005.

Assistant Coach Derrick Jones

"Derrick has been a great addition to our coaching staff," said Samford head coach Jimmy Tillette. "He played on our most recent NCAA Tournament team and has a comprehensive understanding of the offense. As a graduate of Samford, he knows what it takes to succeed in this environment and he has been able to hit the ground running in our system."

Jones, a key member on Samford's 1999-2000 NCAA Tournament team, joined the Bulldog coaching staff in the summer of 2005 after spending the previous two seasons as the primary assistant coach at John Ehret High School.

He was also the Junior Varsity Head Coach at John Ehret where he played a critical role in developing the young talent at the high school. In just two years at JEHS, he helped revamp a team that went 13-13 during the 2003-04 season to the No. 2-ranked squad in Louisiana's talent-laden 5A level.

Jones averaged 13.8 points per game for the Bulldogs as a senior in 2000-01.

In 2004-05, the Patriots turned in one of their best seasons in school history as they finished with a 27-4 overall record.

Jones, a native of Erwinville, La., was a highly-recruited prep athlete coming out of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., and played for Mississippi State during the first two seasons of his collegiate career.

After leading all Mississippi State freshmen in scoring during the 1996-97 season, Jones transferred to Samford in 1998 and went on to average 13.8 points per game for the Bulldogs as a senior in 2000-01.

Jones' coaching responsibilities at Samford include handling the team's travel plans, film-exchange, on-floor coaching and recruiting.

Jones was married to the former Tiffany Irving of Prairieville, La., on May 13, 2006. The couple has one newborn son, Nico.