WASHINGTON (July 9, 2025) - Howard University women's basketball added Montel Jones to the assistant coaching staff in June 2025.
 
Before Howard, Jones spent two seasons (2023-25) at Tuskegee in a similar role. Last season, the squad went 20-10 (14-5 SIAC) and reached the conference title game. In his first season, he played an integral role in the success of the Tuskegee women's basketball team during the 2023-24 season. The team finished 15-10 overall, going 11-8 in conference play.
 
"I am truly honored and excited to join this winning program—one that upholds a standard of excellence both on and off the court," exclaimed Jones. "Coach Grace and the entire staff have been incredibly helpful and welcoming throughout this transition. The team is filled with talented, high-character student-athletes who are ready to compete at a championship level. I am especially grateful to Coach Grace for offering me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of such a prestigious institution. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the program."
 
The Tar Heel native joined the Tuskegee staff after previously serving as the head coach of the Saint Augustine (SAU) women's basketball program (2018-20). During his time leading SAU, the Lady Falcons showed improvement both on the court and in the classroom, highlighted by winning the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Highest Grade Point Average Award for the 2018-19 season. The same year, the team also defeated rival Shaw University on the road for the first time since 2008. Jones and his team saw a seven-game win improvement in his second season, along with sweeping Shaw for the first time since the 2008-09 season. The Lady Falcons forced 21.8 turnovers per game, which ranked 16^th nationally in Division II on the year.
 
A Kinston, N.C., native, Jones was previously on the men's basketball staffs at Wingate University and the University of Mount Olive before coaching at VSU (Virginia State University) and SAU. During his time at both schools, Mount Olive captured the Conference Carolinas regular season title and Wingate won back-to-back South Atlantic Conference tournament crowns. Wingate also played in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional.
 
Before entering the coaching profession, Jones was a basketball student-athlete at Mount Olive where he graduated (2008) with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice. During his college career, Mount Olive set a school record for men's basketball victories (101) over a four-year span. As a freshman, Jones was a member of the 2005 Trojans' squad, which won the NCAA Division II East Regional and made its first-ever appearance in the Elite Eight.
 
Jones continued his education, graduating from Wingate (2014) with a master in Sport Administration. Jones, most recently, earned his Doctorate in Sport Management from National University in 2024 (formerly Northcentral University).
 
In his prep days, Jones was a standout basketball player at famed Kinston High School in Kinston, N.C., which has churned out numerous collegiate and professional basketball players over the years.
 
Jones is married to the former Keyona Bryant.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.