Old Dominion coach Jeff Jones to step away for rest of season due to health
Old Dominion coach Jeff Jones reacts after a call during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas, Nov. 13, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. Jones has been hospitalized in Honolulu after suffering a heart attack Wednesday, Dec. 20, the school said. “He is resting comfortably and expecting a full recovery,” Old Dominion said in a statement Thursday. The 63-year-old Jones is being held for observation and will not be available to coach in the Diamond Head Classic. Credit: AP/Michael Woods
NORFOLK, Va. — Old Dominion men's basketball coach Jeff Jones will step away for the rest of the season due to health issues.
The 63-year-old Jones has been home recovering from a heart attack suffered Dec. 20 at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu and learned he will need a fourth treatment for prostate cancer.
Kieran Donohue will continue to serve as interim coach.
“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 on Sunday. "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. You all make me grateful and proud to be a Monarch.”
Jones has been Old Dominion’s coach since the 2013-14 season, winning 204 games with the Monarchs. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015 and 2018.
Jones served as Virginia's head coach from 1990-98 and was American's coach from 2001-13.
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