After becoming the winningest head coach in the history of the Hanover College men’s soccer program, Craig Jones rejoined the Bellarmine University men’s soccer staff as an assistant in 2011.
The 2019 campaign marked the most successful in program history for Bellarmine, which did not lose a match until the Sweet 16 of the DII NCAA Tournament. The Knights went 16-1-5 overall and 10-0-4 in the GLVC. Both win totals set new program records. Along with an undefeated regular season, Bellarmine captured the GLVC Tournament title following a 3-2 victory over McKendree and secured its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. The Knights built a 30-game unbeaten streak bridging the 2018 and 2019 seasons and finished the year with a No. 13 national ranking. Tomas Bernedo, Micah Linscott and Eddie Williamson earned All-America accolades from the D2CCA, and Bernedo became the program's first GLVC Offensive Player of the Year.
Bellarmine finished 12-5-2 in 2018. The Knights tied both the most overall wins and the most conference victories (nine) in program history. Bellarmine finished second in the league and earned the No. 2 seed in the GLVC Tournament, where the Knights advanced to the finals. Jonas Skulstad became the program's first GLVC Defensive Player of the Year honoree.
In 2017, Jones helped the Knights tie a program record with nine GLVC wins. Bellarmine's 11 overall victories were one shy of the program record. The biggest highlight came when Bellarmine defeated second-ranked and Final Four-bound Rockhurst 2-1. Eddie Williamson was named GLVC co-Freshman of the Year.
In 2012, Bellarmine put together one of its best seasons in program history, tying the school record with nine GLVC victories and posting 10 overall, just two shy of the top mark.
Jones previously worked as an assistant coach for Bellarmine men’s and women’s soccer from 1999-01. Prior to returning to Bellarmine, he led Hanover’s men’s soccer team to the most wins and most conference tournament appearances in program history while being named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference’s Coach of the Year on two occasions during his 2001-11 tenure.
Along with his seasoned background in the collegiate soccer ranks, Jones has been heavily involved in youth soccer. From 2004-14, he was the Technical Director of Louisville’s United 1996 FC, helping the program earn four state championships. Jones owns a United States Soccer Federation National “A” License.
Jones was a distinguished soccer player in college, leading Western Washington University in scoring in 1993 and 1994 while twice earning All-West Coast Conference honors.
Jones received his bachelor’s degree in sport and recreation from Western Washington and his master’s degree in sport management from the University of Louisville.
He resides in Louisville with his wife, Erin, and children Amelia, Emerson and Cambell.
