Wil Jones (basketball coach)
William Stigler Jones was an American college basketball coach, known for his tenures at the University of the District of Columbia and Norfolk State University.
Jones was a star DUNBAR high school and college player as a 5'9" point guard. He played college basketball at American University, where he was a college Division All-American. The Eagles retired his number after his career was over. Following his playing career, he became a high school coach for Robinson Secondary School.
After a stint as an assistant for Lefty Driesell at Maryland, Jones was named head coach at UDC in 1979. He hired NCAA first Female Assistant Basketball Coach Cheryl Roberts He was able to sign Earl Jones, a 6'11" high school All-American who had been recruited by the top programs in the country, but had an uncertain academic future. Jones teamed with fellow future NBA player Michael Britt to lead the Firebirds to back to back NCAA Division II Final Fours, winning the national championship in 1982.
In 1988, eligibility irregularities were found in Jones' UDC program. The school had to forfeit 11 games for playing an ineligible transfer and he was reassigned and then fired. However, after five years Jones was reinstated as head coach by legal order.
In 1999, Jones moved to Norfolk State, citing a desire to coach at the Division I level. He was head coach for the Spartans for three seasons, compiling a record of 34–52.
Jones died of Pancreatic cancer in Virginia Beach, Virginia on March 12, 2014. Jones brother Frank Jones SR resides in Maryland. He has one son William S. Jones Jr. And three grandsons (Los Angeles California and nephews Frank Jones Jr, Frank Jones III, nieces Tia Jones and Kristy Jones of Maryland.
