OGDEN, Utah (March 8, 2017) – After leading his team to its first-ever regular-season conference title, North Dakota’s head coach Brian Jones was named the 2017 Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year in voting conducted by the league’s coaches.
In his 11
th season at the helm of the UND program, Jones holds a 52-42 record in league games and a 77-81 record overall since entering the league. Jones was recognized for his humanitarian work as the 2016 Samaritan’s Feet Coach of the Year. A Rock Island, Ill., native, Jones came to UND from the University of Iowa. Jones has guided the UND program through the transition from NCAA Division II to a Division I.
This year’s edition of the Fighting Hawks featured several All-Conference honorees. Senior, Quinton Hooker was a unanimous first team selection and Geno Crandall picked up second team honors. Cortez Seales was also named the league’s Top Reserve.
Jones led the Fighting Hawks to a 19-9 mark during the regular season, as well a 14-4 record in Big Sky Conference play. UND wrapped up its first Big Sky regular season championship and the No. 1 seed at this week’s conference tournament with an 82-73 win over Portland State on Saturday. The Fighting Hawks open conference tournament play tomorrow against Portland State at 12:05 p.m. Pacific.