SJRCC PRESS RELEASE June 2008 SJRCC names Palatka native, former minor leaguer as Head Baseball Coach Vice President for Student Affairs and Assistant General Counsel Gilbert Evans, Ph.D., J.D., has announced the appointment of Palatka native and SJRCC alumnus Ross Jones as the Head Baseball Coach for St. Johns River Community College. Jones replaces outgoing coach Mike Robins. "Ross Jones will be an asset to the SJRCC family," Evans said. "We are glad to hire one of our own, and I look forward to having him as part of our team." Jones, 41, was drafted into the Minor League straight out of high school in 1984. He later earned his associate in arts degree from St. Johns River Community College and his bachelor's degree in education from the University of North Florida after retiring from professional baseball in 1991. His professional experience includes six years playing for the Texas Rangers and Montreal Expos and 15 years as an assistant baseball coach for Vanderbilt University, UNF and most recently, the University of Florida. His roles at UF included pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, where he played a major role in the team's four NCAA Regional appearances, a second-place standing at the NCAA College World Series and a Southeastern Conference Championship in 2005. Throughout his career, Jones has coached more than 30 collegiate pitchers who were later drafted by the Major League. Jones said he is excited about the opportunity to return to his hometown and continue his career coaching on the collegiate level. "I'm especially grateful to Dr. McLendon and Toni Willis for the opportunity. I look forward to the challenge of continuing to make the SJRCC baseball program one of the elite programs in the state and nation," Jones said. Jones added that community involvement will be a critical factor in the team's success. "I'm looking forward to building the relationships needed within the community to help us all reach our goals," he said. SJRCC Athletic Director Toni Willis said she is excited to fill the position. "I know that with Ross's experience and contacts, he will help us take SJRCC baseball to the next level," Willis said. "He has a history of coaching at winning programs, and I know that he won't settle for anything less." Return to SJRCC home page.