Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
MSU Volleyball's Daniel Jones Reflects on First Bobcat Road Trip Experience
4/25/2018 4:38:00 PM | General
Daniel Jones is one of three head coaches on the Bobcat Club Road Trip. But for Jones, it's a whole new experience
His standing wasn't as defined at this time a year ago.
Daniel Jones had been preparing for his third season as an assistant coach on the Montana State volleyball staff. Things changed when head coach JJ Riley stepped down from the position.
So what was going to be the next move?
For Jones, it was spending the 2017 season as the interim head coach, a role he hadn't served in at the NCAA Division I level.
What transpired was a team that he led to a double-digit victory campaign for the first time since 2012. The Bobcats defeated eventual Big Sky champion North Dakota in Grand Forks, won the Utah State Tournament in September and also swept the season series against the Griz, all of which helped highlight a season that allowed the program to continue moving forward despite a coaching change.
Today, the program is being molded as Jones likes, with the Bobcat head volleyball coach continuing to grow into his role.
"I remember (men's basketball head) coach Brian Fish say to me, 'you move over those six inches and it's more than you think,'" Jones said. "Another statement couldn't be truer. I don't think you can truly prepare to be a head coach. But, when you're in the seat, you have to make the decisions. Some of them are easy and some of them are tough. Every one of them has brought its moments of joy and moments of anguish. It's been a ride, but I'm loving every moment of it."
Part of those head coaching duties included Jones joining the MSU contingent on the Bobcat Club Road Trip through the state of Montana on Tuesday and Wednesday. After his first visit on the road trip meeting with Montana State supporters, Jones has seen the backing the Bobcats have outside of Bozeman.
"The Bobcat blood runs deep and to be able to get out to the communities is great because their support is significant," Jones said. "I get chills talking about it because after talking to the folks during this trip, you get to hear their passion for the Bobcats. They have passion for all of our sports, not just football or basketball, but volleyball and more. It's a significant experience for a head coach."
Jones thanked his assistant coaches Katie Hinrichs and Cole Aiazzi as the staff has worked to create a program identity. The Bobcat head coach has shared where the program is at with the MSU supporters during the Bobcat Club Road Trip, but he said they still have a ways to go.
Beyond the necessity of recruiting, the Bobcat volleyball team has a few months to focus on preparation for the 2018 season. Jones also has the opportunity to continue to work on the demands of being the head of a Division I program and what comes with the role.
That includes serving as a representative for a program he is in charge of. It's a job that he's taken in stride.
"I'm going to go back and tell everybody to do this trip," Jones said. "Just the ability to connect with people and the fans that are passionate about our athletic department as a whole. It's been a lot of driving, but at the same time they're the ones that do the driving to come see us. So, why shouldn't we go see them? It's been a cool experience."
Daniel Jones had been preparing for his third season as an assistant coach on the Montana State volleyball staff. Things changed when head coach JJ Riley stepped down from the position.
So what was going to be the next move?
For Jones, it was spending the 2017 season as the interim head coach, a role he hadn't served in at the NCAA Division I level.
What transpired was a team that he led to a double-digit victory campaign for the first time since 2012. The Bobcats defeated eventual Big Sky champion North Dakota in Grand Forks, won the Utah State Tournament in September and also swept the season series against the Griz, all of which helped highlight a season that allowed the program to continue moving forward despite a coaching change.
Today, the program is being molded as Jones likes, with the Bobcat head volleyball coach continuing to grow into his role.
"I remember (men's basketball head) coach Brian Fish say to me, 'you move over those six inches and it's more than you think,'" Jones said. "Another statement couldn't be truer. I don't think you can truly prepare to be a head coach. But, when you're in the seat, you have to make the decisions. Some of them are easy and some of them are tough. Every one of them has brought its moments of joy and moments of anguish. It's been a ride, but I'm loving every moment of it."
Part of those head coaching duties included Jones joining the MSU contingent on the Bobcat Club Road Trip through the state of Montana on Tuesday and Wednesday. After his first visit on the road trip meeting with Montana State supporters, Jones has seen the backing the Bobcats have outside of Bozeman.
"The Bobcat blood runs deep and to be able to get out to the communities is great because their support is significant," Jones said. "I get chills talking about it because after talking to the folks during this trip, you get to hear their passion for the Bobcats. They have passion for all of our sports, not just football or basketball, but volleyball and more. It's a significant experience for a head coach."
Jones thanked his assistant coaches Katie Hinrichs and Cole Aiazzi as the staff has worked to create a program identity. The Bobcat head coach has shared where the program is at with the MSU supporters during the Bobcat Club Road Trip, but he said they still have a ways to go.
Beyond the necessity of recruiting, the Bobcat volleyball team has a few months to focus on preparation for the 2018 season. Jones also has the opportunity to continue to work on the demands of being the head of a Division I program and what comes with the role.
That includes serving as a representative for a program he is in charge of. It's a job that he's taken in stride.
"I'm going to go back and tell everybody to do this trip," Jones said. "Just the ability to connect with people and the fans that are passionate about our athletic department as a whole. It's been a lot of driving, but at the same time they're the ones that do the driving to come see us. So, why shouldn't we go see them? It's been a cool experience."
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