NEW ORLEANS — For Terrence "TJ" Jones, Xavier University of Louisiana basketball has been much more than a place to play the game. It has been home.
Now, the former Gold Rush standout and Xavier alumnus is taking the next step in his basketball journey as a full-time assistant coach for Xavier University of Louisiana Men's Basketball, joining the staff of head coach Tyrone Mitchell.
Jones' appointment continues a Xavier story that began when he arrived on campus as a student-athlete in 2019. Over five seasons in a Gold Rush uniform, Jones developed from a freshman averaging 4.5 points per game into a senior leader who averaged 14.7 points per game in 2023–24.
During his Xavier playing career, Jones appeared in 110 games with 89 starts, finishing with 775 points, 418 assists, 211 steals, 207 made three-pointers and 85 blocks. He also helped the Gold Rush capture GCAC Tournament championships in 2020 and 2021, the 2020 GCAC regular-season championship and the 2023 Red River Athletic Conference Tournament championship. His honors included First Team All-Conference recognition and recognition as a 1,000-career-point scorer in 2024.
But Jones' Xavier story did not end when his playing career concluded.
After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2023, Jones transitioned from player to coach, serving as a graduate assistant with the Gold Rush from June 2024 through June 2025 while pursuing a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, which he completed in July 2025.
As a graduate assistant, Jones supported academic oversight, team operations, film management and on-court skill development. He subsequently served as a volunteer assistant coach, taking on increased responsibilities in opponent scouting, film study, player development and workout coordination. His work has included using Synergy Sports to identify opponent tendencies and translate film and data into actionable coaching strategies.
Head Coach Tyrone Mitchell believes Jones' familiarity with the program, combined with his growth as a young coach, will make him an important addition to the Gold Rush staff.
"An assistant coach is like the team's backbone, providing strength, insight, and unwavering support to help turn potential into victory. Coach TJ is exactly that. He's stayed dedicated, sharp, and always made a real impact on the program. Adding TJ to our coaching team will really help make this program even better," Mitchell said.
Mitchell's decision to elevate Jones also adds a coach to the staff who understands the Xavier student-athlete experience firsthand — from competing in the Gold Rush uniform to navigating academics, championship expectations and the transition from college athletics into professional life.
For Jones, the new position represents both a promotion and a homecoming.
His path reflects a growing tradition within Xavier Athletics: developing talented student-athletes not only for success in competition, but also for leadership beyond it. Jones now has the opportunity to pour that experience back into the next generation of Gold Rush student-athletes.
