PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.-- Nick Jones has been hired as the new assistant track and field coach at Plattsburgh State. That announcement was made Friday by Cardinals director of track and field/cross country John Lynch.
“I am excited to have Nick join us this year. He brings youth and motivation to our coaching staff,” said Lynch, who enters his sixth season helming the cross country team and fourth leading track and field. “He has proven himself successful in his previous positions and he brings a wealth of knowledge having worked with some outstanding coaches. Nick and I have similar philosophies as we come from the same developmental programs which should help mesh our track and field program across all spectrums.”
Jones reunites with his former high school teammate as he and Lynch competed together in 1999 and 2000 at Shenendehowa in Clifton Park. Jones comes to Plattsburgh after serving last season as an assistant coach for the Plainsmen, instructing pole vaulters, jumpers and hurdlers. He also was a substitute teacher in physical and special education. During his short tenure, he coached two state qualifiers, a national qualifier, two school record holders and eight conference/sectional individual champions while helping the school to the girls’ sectional title.
Before that, Jones was a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Albany where he had a successful four-year athletic career with the NCAA Division I Great Danes. He helped the men’s program to the 2009 America East Conference indoor and outdoor track and field crowns, while the women’s side claimed the outdoor title. He mentored pole vault and multi-event athletes who earned three All-America citations, a pair of conference championships and two school records.
Jones graduated from UAlbany in August 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, plus a minor in psychology. He competed as a pole vaulter from 2004-08, posting a personal best of 14 feet and 9 inches that ranks seventh on the Great Danes’ all-time indoor performance list and 14-6 that lists 10th outdoors – both marks coming in 2005.
Jones was a 2003 prep All-American in the pole vault and distance medley relay, continuing to hold the state record for eighth and ninth graders in the former event.
(TRANSACTION: Plattsburgh State – Nick Jones tabbed assistant track and field/cross country coach.)
