Coach Ernie Jones brings a wealth of experience to William Peace as he served 17 seasons with the North Carolina Wesleyan College baseball program. Jones made his mark as the longest-tenured assistant coach in NCWC history, having his #8 jersey retired in the fall of 2015.
Jones transferred to Wesleyan in the fall of 1991 to continue his collegiate playing career with the Bishops. His two-year tenure saw the area native play in two South Regional championships and one College World Series. A first team All-Conference performer at shortstop, he is regarded as one of the best defensive players in program history, turning in an impressive .961 fielding percentage during his career.
A 1993 Wesleyan graduate with a bachelor's degree in physical education, Jones made a full-time return to his alma mater in 1999 as assistant to Coach Long, setting the stage for the team's historic national championship run, a feat that he helped accomplish alongside his brother, Andy, who anchored second base for NCWC.
Jones teamed with Long for 16 more seasons and was a part of over 400 victories. As both a player and coach, he helped NCWC capture ten conference regular season and/or tournament championships, six NCAA Tournament berths, three regional championships, a trio of World Series appearances, and the 1999 Division III National Championship.
Head Coach Charlie Long stated: "I am so excited to have Coach Jones join our already amazing staff. I am blessed to have a coach that is not only passionate about the game, but more importantly,is sincerely invested in the best interest of the student-athletes in our program."
