64934 wk pdf 51.qxp - University of North Dakota Athletics

HEAD COACH
HEAD COACH BRIAN JONES ON...
His coaching style: “We want to build our foundation on four
pillars: Out-Work, Out-Think, Do It Together and Have Fun. We
want to out-work you on the floor, out think you, play unselfishly
and have a lot of fun playing the game of basketball.”
The importance of family: “We really put a big emphasis on
family. I don’t want our relationship with the players just to be
primarily on basketball. I want our relationship to extend 30-plus
years to where they can come back to campus and feel like they
never left. I have two small children. I want our players to have
an ongoing relationship with my wife and kids. The bond we
have will be critical to our success on the floor. We will play in
many hostile environments and that bond will be what gets us
over the top.”
The importance of respect: “I truly feel you have to respect all
those around you. There are so many people on campus, in the
community that are trying to help. I feel the moment you stop listening
to your elders or start playing against the name on the front
of the jersey, you are setting yourself up to fail or get beat.”
The importance of tradition: “Tradition never graduates.
Tradition is what is allowing us to make this transition to
Division I, so it is very important. I feel it is our duty to carry that
torch and continue to represent the university, community and the
state at the highest level.”
What it means for him to be at UND: “It has been a dream
come true for me personally to be a part of a university that is one
of the best in the country from an academic and athletic standpoint.
With this being my first head coaching job, I’ve been
blessed to be given this opportunity. We look forward to establishing
ourselves in the community and making Grand Forks our
home.”
What makes UND and the program special: “The passion for
this university is what makes it special. People are passionate
about UND and Sioux athletics. They have an ownership in the
university and athletic teams. This is what sets us apart from
many other universities. UND basketball has had a long line of
great coaches and players who have gone on to do many great
things after their time here. That to me shows the life skills
they’ve learned while at UND.”
The importance of community and fan support: “We need
involvement from the community and student body. We want the
“Betty” to be known for being a difficult place to play in. Visiting
teams should know when they step off the bus they are walking
into an environment that will challenge them mentally and physically.”
His recruiting philosophy: We feel it is important that we take
care of home first—this being the state of North Dakota—and
then branch out to bordering states or areas we where have relationships
built. I truly believe it is our job to find talent but our
players are the ones in charge of recruiting. They are around each
other more often than the coaches are around them. If they feel
the student-athlete would be a good fit into the university, community
and program then it is a no-brainer that we want him to
be the next member of the UND family.”
The importance of building character: “It is our job as coaches
to develop life skills. We must prepare our young men for life
after basketball. They will be thrown in a lot of different scenarios
that will challenge them during their tenure and we have to
teach them how to make the most of it. We are all about doing the
right job right all the time.”
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