ATLANTA, GA — The Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced today the class of participants in the 2026 WBCA Next Generation Institute— a high-level education program for experienced assistant coaches who aspire to become collegiate head coaches.  Among those named are former Francis Marion University student-athlete and assistant coach Crayton "CJ" Jones. Jones is currently the associate head coach for the University of Virginia women's basketball program.

Now in its fourth year, the curriculum of the WBCA Next Generation Institute focuses on the CEO attributes needed to lead a program and be a problem-solver in today's ever-changing landscape of higher education and the enterprise of intercollegiate athletics.

"The WBCA is pleased to announce the participants for the 2026 WBCA Next Generation Institute," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "This fourth class of cohorts will be challenged to set aside X's and O's for two days during the upcoming WBCA Convention in Phoenix and concentrate on understanding and developing the skills in business, communications, marketing and management of both people and resources that is required to be a successful head coach in this new landscape of college athletics."

Jones was one of 34 coaches selected for the program.  To be eligible for selection to participate in the program, a person must be a current WBCA member, must have at least five years' experience as a coach, and must be nominated by a current WBCA member. The Institute is held in conjunction with the WBCA Convention, which this year takes place April 2-5 in Phoenix.

Jones joined the Virginia coaching staff in 2022 after previously serving as an assistant for two seasons at Missouri State, four seasons at Temple University, and two seasons at East Carolina University.

He served as an assistant men's coach at FMU for five seasons from 2009-14 after his playing career. As a player, Jones started 47 games over two seasons for the Patriots. As a senior, he shot 50.8 percent from the field and ranked second in assists (4.4) and sixth in steals (1.6) in the Peach Belt Conference. He graduated with a degree in business administration.

A native of Las Vegas, Nev. Jones also served as a team assistant for three years with the Detroit Pistons and one year with the Miami Heat at the NBA Summer League between 2009 and 2013.


       Crayton Jones