Texas Southern University announced on Apr. 8 that Head Men’s Basketball Coach Johnny Jones will leave the program to join Louisiana State University as an assistant coach.
Jones led Texas Southern’s men’s basketball team for eight seasons, where he was recognized for his leadership and commitment to student-athlete achievement both on and off the court. Interim Athletic Director Dr. Paula L. Jackson said, “It was a pleasure working with Johnny Jones during this brief period. As fellow Louisiana natives, we bonded quickly, and I truly appreciate the leadership he brought to our men’s basketball program—both on the court and in the classroom. I valued his professionalism and commitment to our student-athletes, and I wish him continued success in his next chapter.”
During his tenure at Texas Southern, Jones guided the team to several milestones including five wins over Power 5 opponents—three of which occurred in 2018—and became the first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) team to defeat a ranked Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponent with a victory over No. 20 Florida in 2021. The Tigers also achieved two NCAA Tournament wins under his leadership (2021, 2022), secured three SWAC Tournament championships (2021-2023), appeared in five consecutive SWAC Basketball Tournament finals from 2019 through 2024, and became the first eighth-seeded team to win a SWAC Tournament title in 2023.
Jones also coached NBA G-League player Joirdon Karl Nicholas and mentored eight All-SWAC players along with other award recipients during his time at Texas Southern. The program recorded its highest Academic Progress Rate among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) men’s basketball programs for the academic year 2023-24.
Texas Southern University President J.W. Crawford III said, “Coach Johnny Jones has left a lasting mark on Texas Southern University through his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to excellence.” Crawford added that Jones’ influence extended beyond basketball by helping shape young men into leaders prepared for life after college: “We wish him all the best as he returns to his alma mater and continues to inspire the next generation of student-athletes.”
Longtime assistant coach Shyrone Chatman will serve as interim head coach while a national search is conducted for Jones’ replacement. Chatman has been part of TSU’s staff since joining under former head coach Mike Davis in 2017; during nine years at TSU he played an important role recruiting top performers and supporting academic matters within the program.
