Appalachian State University athletics announced that Billy Jones has been relieved of his duties as the Mountaineers baseball head coach.
“We’re grateful to coach Jones for his commitment to Appalachian State baseball over the last four years,” athletics director Doug Gillin said in a statement. “I wish him and his family nothing but the best going forward.”
As an Oregon State alum, Jones took over as the Mountaineers head coach prior to the 2013 season and compiled an 86-130 record in four seasons including an 18-36 mark this season. The team missed the Sun Belt conference tournament for the second straight season.
While at the helm, Jones saw eight players selected in the Major League Baseball draft over the past four seasons, including a school record tying four draftees in the 2013 and 2015 draft.
Prior to coming to Boone, Jones spent 14 years as coach at Oregon State (1999-2000), Arizona State (2001), NC State (2002-04) and Oklahoma State (2005-12).
Jones dealt with the tough transition from the Southern Conference to Sun Belt as he took over the baseball program, but led the team in 2013 to an impressive 30-win campaign
He led the Mountaineers to postseason wins in two of his four seasons including a berth in the SoCon semifinals in 2013.
Assistant to the chancellor for athletics Jonathan Reeder and senior associate athletics director Troy Heustess will co-chair a national search for a new head coach.
“We will conduct a national search to identify new leadership for our baseball program,” Gillin said.
Story by: Jason Huber, Sports Editor