Appalachian State, Villanova Fire Coaches

Billy Jones, who was 86-130 in four seasons as Appalachian State coach, was fired by the school Tuesday.

2016 COACHING CHANGES
School	Departures	Arrivals
Alabama	Mitch Gaspard
Appalachian State	Billy Jones
Army	Matt Reid
Butler	Steve Farley
Lamar	Jim Gilligan (ret.)	Will Davis
Purdue	Doug Schreiber
SIU-Edwardsville	Tony Stoecklin
Texas	Augie Garrido
Villanova	Joe Godri

“We’re grateful to Coach Jones for his commitment to Appalachian State baseball over the last four years. I wish him and his family nothing but the best going forward,” director of athletics Doug Gillin said in a statement. “We will conduct a national search to identify new leadership for our baseball program.”

App State made the move after the Mountaineers went just 18-36 this season, including 1-8 to start the season. Jones was hired in July 2012 after Chris Pollard left to become coach at Duke.

In 2013, Jones led App State to 30 wins and led the Mountaineers to the Southern Conference tournament semifinals.

Prior to taking the job at the Boone, N.C., school, Jones coached infielders at Oregon State (1999-2000) and Arizona State (2001). He went on to be an assistant and recruiting coordinator at N.C. State from 2002-04 and was a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year in 2003. He joined Oklahoma State in 2005 as recruiting coordinator and helped bring in lefthander Andrew Heaney (the ninth overall pick in 2012 by the Marlins) and Jason Hursh, the No. 31 overall pick in 2013 by the Braves.

One of Jones’ son, Ryder, was a second-round pick of the Giants in 2013, while another, Utah, is a freshman on North Carolina’s team.

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Godri Out At Villanova

Joe Godri, Villanova’s coach the past 15 years, will not return, the school said Tuesday. The Wildcats were just 20-32 this season and just 5-13 in the Big East.

“We spent a week discussing things and that’s what turned out for the best,” Godri told BA’s John Manuel. “I only wish Villanova the best and loved every minute of it. Coaching 15 years in the Big East with six scholarships took its toll … new beginnings now.”

Only the 10th full-time coach in the program’s 150 years, Godri was 360-410 in 15 seasons, the second-most wins of any Villanova coach. He led the Wildcats to two Big East tournament appearances.

“I want to thank Joe for his 15 years of commitment to our baseball program,” director of athletics Mark Jackson said in a statement. “His achievements were felt and appreciated both on and off the diamond and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”