Joe Jones signs extension through 2017–18

By Sarah Kirkpatrick and Christopher Dela Rosa / DFP Staff

Following a postseason appearance during the 2012-13 season, Boston University men’s basketball head coach Joe Jones has signed a contract extension to remain with the team through 2017-18, Director of Athletics Mike Lynch announced Monday.

“I’ve really enjoyed my experience at BU, from working with the administration, to our staff and our players,” Jones said. “I look forward to being here and enjoying my time here.”

In two years with the Terriers, Jones has compiled a record of 33-29.

This past season, he led the team to a 17-13 record and a berth in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, where they lost in the first round to Loyola University-Maryland. Jones was also named a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award, which is given to the best minority coach in Division I Basketball each year.

In 2012-13, then-junior guard D.J. Irving played his way onto the All-America East First Team after averaging 14.2 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game during the regular season. His classmate, forward Dom Morris, led the team in rebounding with 6.4 boards per game and improved his scoring to 11.6 points per game, earning him All-Conference Third Team Honors.

Both of these stars will return next season, along with plenty of other talent, boding well for Jones in the team’s transition to the Patriot League. After a stellar freshman campaign, guard Maurice Watson, Jr. will return in the backcourt looking to replicate his rookie success, which included leading the America East in assists per game (5.4). His classmate and backcourt partner John Papale, who shot 41.9 percent from 3-point range, will also return for the Terriers.

A few fresh faces will also join the team for Jones’s third season, including incoming freshman guard Cedric Hankerson and his classmate 7-foot-0 forward Dylan Haines. Two transfers are also reported to be joining the team, including 6-foot-11 forward Blaise Mbargorba, formerly of Southern Methodist University, and Wagner College guard Eric Fanning.

“Looking to the future we’re trying to build a team with players that fit and I feel that we are doing that,” Jones said.