Craig Jones will take helm of the men’s soccer program next year, moving from an assistant to a head coach position following the retirement of George Lidster.
Jones has been involved with the Colonials since his days as an undergraduate at the University. He started his career as a four-year letterwinner on GW’s squad from 1995-1998, and returned as a volunteer assistant coach in 2002. He held that position through the 2008 season, and was promoted to the team’s top assistant slot in June 2009. In that capacity, he worked with Lidster on training, game management, recruiting, scheduling and goalkeeper workouts.
“Through this season’s impressive turnaround and our comprehensive national search, Craig emerged from a very strong pool of candidates as the right person to lead our men’s soccer program into the future,” Director of Athletics Patrick Nero said. “He was instrumental to our team’s improvement this year and our run to the Atlantic 10 regular season co-championship and into the A-10 Conference Championship game. Craig’s mentorship abilities and his vision for the program have our student-athletes poised to continue this season’s successes next season and beyond.”
Jones is also involved with the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, and in 2008 was named the Virginia Youth Soccer Association Boys Competitive Coach of the Year after leading his Virginia 1992 team to the title game the ODP National Championship. He works as Boys Development Academy Director for the DC Stoddert Soccer Club, and holds a USSF ‘A’ Coaching License. Jones is a Virginia State Education Instructor, teaching courses for local soccer coaches, and founded the DC Soccer School, which offers soccer services to youth players.
“As an alum and member of George’s coaching staff for many years, this truly is a dream job for me,” Jones said. “I am extremely appreciative of the opportunity GW is giving me to continue and grow the momentum that our group gained as this season progressed. Our vision for the men’s soccer program is to build a team culture that leads to success on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.”
Prior to competing for the Colonials, Jones was the captain of the Wales National Youth Team. During his four seasons at GW, he started all but one of his 63 matches, totaling 28 points on 12 goals and four assists. Jones graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 1999, and competed semi-professionally in England and Wales before returning stateside to pursue his coaching licenses. Jones lives in Arlington, Va., with his wife Liz and daughter Cerys.
Jones helped Lidster coach the Colonials from a preseason No. 13 ranking to the A-10 championship game, before GW dropped a tight match to Xavier in the last round of the tournament. The season saw the Colonials earn a share of their first regular season championship since 1992, and Lidster retires as the reigning 2011 A-10 Coach of the Year and with 201 career wins, making him the program’s head coach with the most all-time wins.
