Craig Jones to step down as George Washington men’s soccer head coach

Former A-10 Coach of the Year and GW alumnus Craig Jones has announced that he will step away from his role as head coach of the George Washington University men’s soccer team, at the conclusion of this season.

In his 14th season leading GW, Jones’ tenure was highlighted by an Atlantic 10 regular season championship in 2015, for which he was honored as the conference’s Coach of the Year. Jones prioritized academics with his student-athletes, resulting in five NSCAA Team Academic Awards for boasting a team grade-point average of 3.0 or higher, including a 3.25 GPA in 2012-13, which tied for 30th among Division I programs. He also mentored a pair of CoSIDA Academic All-District First Teamers, multiple A-10 All-Academic Team selections, and an A-10 Postgraduate Award winner.

“Serving as head coach at my alma mater has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime,” said Jones. “From when I stepped on campus as a player 30 years ago, I have spent the entirety of my adult life giving my all to the program. More than that, the program has given me so much and I’ll always be grateful to this current group of players and former players, teammates and other alumni who have made the George Washington soccer community so special. At this time however, it is important that I step away. I’ll look forward to spending more time with my family while continuing to watch and support men’s soccer at GW. My wife, Liz, and children, Cerys, Dylan and Seren, have my biggest thanks for always supporting me and being there always.”

“Jonesy has been a sterling representative of the university, GW Athletics and the local soccer community for three decades,” said Director of Athletics Michael Lipitz. “He’s a proud alumnus who his teammates, players and other coaches look at as the embodiment of service to one’s alma mater. We are grateful for his dedication and commitment to his student-athletes and to the program. In this next chapter for Craig, we wish him and his family nothing but the best.”

During Jones’ tenure as head coach, GW produced 17 All-Conference honorees, including six first-team picks. A native of Wales, he was named head coach on Nov. 17, 2011, just four days after helping lead the Buff and Blue to an appearance in the Atlantic 10 Championship title match as an assistant coach under George Lidster.

A four-year letterwinner on the pitch from 1995-98, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the university in 1999.

A national search for the next leader of GW men’s soccer will begin immediately, led by Associate AD for Student-Athlete Health, Wellbeing and Performance and sport supervisor for men’s soccer, Chris Hennelly.