Entering her second season as the head women's basketball coach at Fort Valley State University, LaToya Jones continues to build a culture centered on accountability, player development, and excellence both on and off the court. Known for her ability to develop student-athletes into confident competitors and leaders, Jones emphasizes discipline, character, and academic success while preparing her teams to compete at a high level. Her coaching philosophy extends beyond wins and losses, focusing on helping young women grow personally, academically, and athletically throughout their collegiate careers.
Jones arrived at Fort Valley State following a successful season at Allen University, where she guided the program through one of its most competitive stretches in recent history. Prior to Allen, she served as the head coach of the Adidas PSB AAU National Girls Basketball program and led Olympic High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. She also gained valuable administrative experience as Athletic Director at Gaston County Middle School, further strengthening her understanding of student-athlete development from multiple perspectives. Throughout every stop in her career, Jones has earned a reputation for building relationships, creating competitive environments, and preparing players for success beyond basketball. Under Coach Jones leadership the Wildcats showed significant statistical improvement across multiple categories, increasing their scoring average from 54.8 points per game in 2025 to 58.1 points per game in 2026. The team also improved its shooting efficiency, raising its field goal percentage from 34.1% to 36.2%, while making strides in rebounding, assists, and defensive production with increases in rebounds (36.3 to 38 per game), assists (9.1 to 10.5 per game), and steals (9.1 to 10.7 per game). Coach Jones also helped create renewed excitement and engagement surrounding the program. Fan attendance increased significantly, growing from 2,242 in 2025 to 3,976 in 2026, reflecting the team’s growing connection with the Fort Valley State community and Wildcat Nation. Her first season also produced individual recognition, as the program developed two All-SIAC Conference honorees, Aaniyah Allen and Reya Johnson, highlighting the talent and growth within the team.
Her collegiate head coaching journey began at Chowan University, where she spent four seasons transforming the Hawks into a consistent contender in the CIAA. Jones quickly established a winning culture, helping the program compete for conference championships while mentoring numerous All-Conference performers and award winners. More importantly, her student-athletes excelled in the classroom, earning All-Academic recognition while maintaining an outstanding graduation rate. Off the court, she leads her team to continue strengthening their commitment to the Fort Valley community through various volunteer initiatives and service opportunities.Her emphasis on accountability, academic achievement, and personal growth became defining characteristics of her program and continues to shape the way she leads today.
Before becoming a collegiate head coach, Jones spent six seasons in NCAA Division I basketball, serving as an assistant coach at UNC Greensboro and Gardner-Webb University, her alma mater. During those years, she developed extensive experience in recruiting, player skill development, scouting, basketball operations, and program management. Working closely with post players while overseeing recruiting initiatives and community engagement, she helped build competitive programs and gained valuable experience mentoring student-athletes at the highest collegiate level.
A former Division I student-athlete at Gardner-Webb University, Jones understands firsthand the commitment required to balance academics and athletics. A four-year member of the Atlantic Sun All-Academic Team and team captain, she carried the same dedication into her coaching career. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Professional Development from Gardner-Webb before completing a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Liberty University. Today, Jones continues to invest in the holistic development of her student-athletes, striving to prepare them for success in competition, in the classroom, and in their lives beyond basketball.
