Emory University Assistant Vice President of Campus Life and Clyde Partin Sr., Director of Athletics Keiko Price has announced the appointment of Brianna Jones as the head coach of the Emory University Volleyball program.
Jones, who served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with the Eagles from 2017-2020, will return to Atlanta after spending the previous two seasons as the head coach at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is set to follow Jenny McDowell as the fourth head coach in program history after McDowell announced she was stepping down from the position on November 30.
"I am excited to introduce Brianna as our new head women's volleyball coach," said Price. "During my conversations with her, I was impressed by her positive energy, coaching philosophy, and level of commitment to student-athletes. I have no doubt our volleyball program will thrive under her direction, as she is a proven leader with a demonstrated record of success both at Emory and Stevens. As one of the most highly recruited coaches in the industry, we are fortunate to have her on board."
Since taking over the reins at Stevens in January 2021, Jones led the Ducks to two appearances in the NCAA tournament by virtue of back-to-back MAC Freedom conference championships, and advanced to the round of 32 this past fall. Her squads went 50-16 during her two years and saw her players collect two AVCA All-America Honorable Mention honors, three AVCA All-Region selections and 10 All-MAC Freedom Conference awards, including two MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Year selections.
"I am honored to be chosen to fill such large shoes in what the great Jenny McDowell has built," said Jones. "I am thankful that I am entrusted by Jenny, Keiko and so many within the athletic department at Emory to take over as the head coach of this amazing program. It is extremely exciting to come back to a place I call home."
Across her three seasons on the Emory coaching staff, Jones helped the team achieve tremendous success, with the Eagles amassing an overall record of 94-16 while capturing three NCAA regional titles, two UAA conference championships and appeared twice in the national championship match, winning the program's second national title in 2018. She oversaw the Eagles claim a total of 12 AVCA All-America honors, 13 All-UAA honors and three conference Rookie of the Year awards. She was honored by the AVCA in 2019 by being named to the organization's 'Thirty Under 30' coaching list, which recognizes up-and-coming coaches across all levels of the sport.
The Atlanta native began her coaching career as the graduate assistant with Columbus State University during the 2016 season and has coached on the club level with Colavol and A5 Pure. She spent her first two seasons of her collegiate career playing for Pfeiffer University before finishing her career with Georgia State University. She graduated with a degree in Psychology from GSU in 2016 and obtained her master's degree in Public Health-Administration Services from CSU in 2018.
Jones is set to begin her duties with the Eagles in January 2023.