His plaque reads: Richard Jones has been the head men's basketball coach at FLCC since 2002.

 

Jones is currently FLCC's all-time coaching wins leader with 284. During his decorated 19 year coaching career at FLCC. his teams have won 70 percent of their MSAC games with nine championship game appearances. Under his watch, the Lakers won the 2006 NCAA Region III basketball championship for the first time in school history.

 

Throughout his coaching tenure. Jones was named Mid-State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2007. 2011, and 2015. and was named New York State Junior College Coach of the Year in 2006. Under his helm. Jones helped 10 former student-athletes receive basketball scholarships to four-year institutions, and five of his former student-athletes went on to play basketball professionally overseas following their Laker careers. Additionally, Jones coordinates summer basketball day camps at FLCC, inviting prospective student-athletes to campus to enhance their basketball skills.

 

Before coming to FLCC. Jones was a high school coach for 17 years. From 1992-1999. Jones served as head boys basketball coach at Midlakes High School. Jones left the program as the school's all-time leader in wins. He also directed and instructed the summer basketball day camp at Midlakes. Jones also served as head boys basketball coach at Lexington High School in North Carolina from 1982-1992. At the end of his tenure at Lexington. Jones was the school's all-time leader in winning percentage.

 

Jones has been an active coach in several basketball skills camps throughout his coaching career, including the Finger Lakes Coaches Clinic (2003-2014). Duke Basketball Camp (1987-1997). and North Carolina State Basketball Camp (1986-1987). Jones began coaching in 1985 at Madison-Mayodan High School in North Carolina. While at Madison-Mayodan, Jones served one year as the assistant varsity coach and

two years as the junior varsity coach.

 

Jones holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Westminster College. He is also a graduate of Alfred University, where he earned an advanced degree in school psychology. Following a historic career with the Lakers, Richard Jones announced his retirement following the conclusion of the 2021-22 basketball season.