Jones to Lead Pace Academy Varsity Girls Basketball

Patch Staff Report

Pace Academy announced Thursday that Brian F. Jones will assume leadership of the school’s varsity girls basketball program, effective Aug. 1, 2014. Jones brings significant teaching, coaching and personal training experience to his new position – as well as a passion for team development. Jones also will coach Middle School football and varsity track

“I’m extremely excited to welcome Brian Jones to the Pace family,” Director of Athletics Kris Palmerton said in a press release. “I know he will build on the foundation that has been set, grow the program and push our student-athletes to strive for excellence. He’s a great fit for Pace Athletics and for the Pace

Jones is the current head boys’ basketball coach at Hampton Middle School in Henry County and recently led the Hornets to a division title. He also teaches health and physical education.

Prior to his tenure at Hampton Middle School, Jones worked for two years as a teacher and athletic director at Tech Charter High School in Atlanta, where he coached boys’ and girls’ basketball, developed an intramural program and taught health and physical education. He also serves as a tutor with Georgia Tech’s Athletics Association and as a youth basketball development coach for the Atlanta Hawks. Jones previously taught at Chastain Middle School in Jackson, Miss.

“We will continue to enhance the girl’s basketball program beginning with the 6th grade. The program will place an emphasis on playing with effort and passion. My goal is to ensure that being a member of Pace Knights basketball is an honor filled with pleasant memories and life lessons,”

A native of New Hebron, Mississippi, Jones and wife, Carmen, reside in Atlanta.

Jones will succeed Regina Tate, who served as the Knights’ head coach for seven seasons and led the team to a 106-67 record and the Class A state tournament every year. Tate will begin coaching Shiloh High School’s girls basketball team in the fall.