March 20, 2008

Trent Jones Named Volleyball Head Coach

ST. LOUIS, MO. – University of Missouri-St. Louis athletics director John Garvilla has named Trent Jones as the Tritons’ new head volleyball coach. Jones arrives on the UMSL campus after serving four seasons as the assistant coach at national power Washburn University. He becomes the seventh volleyball coach in UMSL history.

Jones replaces Josh Lauer, who resigned after four seasons as the UMSL head coach to take the assistant coaching job at the University of Alabama in January.

“We are excited to have Trent take over as head coach of the UMSL volleyball program,” said Garvilla. “He is fully committed to our vision of the student-athlete and has a proven track record of success that will benefit UMSL Athletics and Tritons Volleyball.”

During his four seasons at Washburn, the Lady Blues compiled a 129-23 record and qualified for the NCAA Tournament each year, while also reaching the schools first-ever NCAA Final Four in 2007. He served as head recruiting coordinator and assisted with all aspects of the program, including game-plan strategies and on-court training.

Prior to his appointment at Washburn, Jones served as a volunteer assistant for the University of Kansas volleyball team from 2002-04. He also served as head junior varsity coach at Graceland University from 2001-02.

Jones played collegiality at Columbia College and Graceland University as a defensive specialist.

At Columbia, he was a member of the 2000 NAIA national championship team. He then transferred to Graceland, where he played three seasons.

"I am honored that the administration at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, particularly Chancellor Thomas F. George and Director of Athletics John Garvilla, have selected me to be the next head volleyball coach,” said Jones. “I have a great deal of respect for both this university and the city of St. Louis, and I look forward to building an even stronger volleyball program and fostering the growth of tremendous student-athletes."

Jones, a native of Lee’s Summit, Mo., graduated from Graceland in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history with an emphasis in civil rights.

He will begin his duties on April 1.