Jones Promoted To SSU Head Volleyball Coach

July 25, 2008
SAVANNAH, Ga- Malik Jones has been promoted to head women's volleyball coach at Savannah State by athletics director Bart Bellairs.

"We are excited because he has been with the program and he has the potential to be a young star," says Bellairs. "When we have a quality person from within we will look at them seriously for advancement," he added.

Jones, 27, who served as the Lady Tigers assistant coach last season, takes over for Yocaria Basilio whose contract was not renewed after two seasons as head coach.

"The players from last year thought he did a good job. We are all about giving chances to our student-athletes as well as our assistant coaches," added Bellairs.

Bellairs was also upbeat about the renovations in the SSU volleyball facility.

"We are also excited about the upgrades in Wilcox-Wiley," he said.

Jones, who enters his second season with the program is grateful for the opportunity.

"We are trying to implement more structure and discipline in the program and hopefully the players can build off of that to move the program forward."

Jones is also an assistant with the women's basketball program where his primary duties include strength and conditioning and recruiting coordinator.

Prior to SSU, Jones served as the assistant women’s basketball coach at his alma mater, Texas College, from 2003 to 2005. While a student at TC in Tyler, Tex., he served in various capacities within the athletic department. From 2005 to 2007 Jones was the junior varsity men’s basketball head coach while also serving as an assistant coach on the men’s basketball varsity team.

A Fort Smith, Arkansas native, Jones graduated from TC in 2007 with a degree in Biology. He transferred to his alma mater after spending two years as a tailback and wide receiver on the Central Arkansas University football team. He suffered a shoulder injury after two seasons.