Marian University

Tyler Jones was named the 12th head coach of the Marian University men's basketball program in May of 2026.

"We're excited to have Tyler take over the men's basketball program here at Marian," said Director of Athletics Tony Draves.  "His experience and rapport with our current student-athletes made him the obvious choice for the continued success of our program."

Jones has spent the past three seasons on the Sabre bench serving as an assistant coach.  During that time, he has helped lead Marian to 38 wins including back-to-back winning seasons the past two campaigns.  This past season, Marian went 17-11 and reached the NACC Tournament Championship game for just the third time in program history.  The Sabres have had six student-athletes earn All-NACC recognition, two being first team picks, and the NACC Freshman of the Year in Marvin Haslett this past season. Off of the court, Jones has also served as the head coach for the men's golf program has helped turn the program in a positive direction.  Marian set a program record for team stroke average this past season at 78.7 and he was named NACC Co-Coach of the Year.  He also helped guide sophomore Wyatt Pfeiffer to an All-NACC award, the first for Marian since the 2020-21 season.

"It's an honor and a privilege to be named the 12th coach in the history of Marian University men's basketball," said Jones.  "I accept this position with an extreme amount of gratitude to President Aaron Sadoff, Vice President for Student Life Josh Clary, and Director of Athletics Tony Draves.  Marian has sustained a high level of relevance and success under the leadership with my predecessor Drake Diener, whose influence will remain the undercurrent of this program moving forward.  The bar has been set very high in terms of the student-athletes we have and will continue to recruit.  I'd like to also thank all of the Marian student-athletes, both past and present, and Drake Diener along with his family for their never-ending support.  I'm certain the principles and culture we will continue to reinforce will produce student-athletes that will be great stewards for the mission of Marian University."

Prior to becoming a Sabre, Jones spent five seasons at a fellow NACC institution in Aurora.  The Spartans would have three winning seasons during his tenure including a 2019 NACC Tournament Championship.  He also stepped in to serve as the interim head coach for the program late in 2022 season.  Outside of his basketball responsibilities, Jones spent time with the men's and women's golf programs at Aurora and played a role in community affairs.
 
Jones brings a wealth of basketball coaching knowledge to the Sabre coaching staff ranging across all levels of basketball.  He broke onto the coaching scene during the 1998-99 season when he led the Connecticut Pride of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) to a league championship.  Jones served as a head coach and the general manager during his time with the Pride accumulating over 100 wins in his career.  He also earned CBA Coach of the Year honors following the 1998-99 championship. 
 
Jones has coached several former NBA players including former head coach for the University of Connecticut men's program Kevin Ollie, current New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson (father of Jalen Brunson), and former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks Adrian Griffin (father of AJ Griffin).
 
He then moved to the college ranks serving as an assistant coach at DePaul University from 2002-05.  The Blue Demons won 58 games in three seasons qualifying for the National Invitation Tournament twice and NCAA Tournament once.  DePaul qualified for the NCAA Tournament in the 2003-04 season as an at-large bid after posting a 22-10 record.  The Blue Demons defeated Dayton in the opening round before falling to the eventual National Championship winner, the University of Connecticut.
 
Staying in the area, Jones became the head coach of Concordia University Chicago and was on staff from 2008-2015, the second-longest tenure in program history.  In his time as a Cougar, Jones led CUC to a Concordia Invitational Tournament Championship in 2011 and a NACC South Division Championship in the 2011-12 season.
 
He will also serve as the head coach for the Marian University men's golf program.
 
Jones earned a bachelor's degree in intercultural studies from Trinity and a master's in business administration from Concordia Chicago.