Coaching Update: Ohio State Promotes Whitney Jones to Associate Head Coach

The following release information was issued by Ohio State earlier this week and information and photo courtesy of Ohio State…

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State’s Whitney Jones has been promoted to associate head coach, Kelly Kovach Schoenly announced today.

Jones, who is entering her second season on staff with the Buckeyes, made an instant impact upon her arrival working with Ohio State’s offense. Last season, the Buckeyes were among the Big Ten leaders in overall batting average (third – .304), slugging percentage (third – .494), on-base percentage (third – .384) and run scored (third – 306). Additionally, only one team in the conference struck out fewer times than Ohio State.

During a 12-game winning streak in March, Ohio State’s offense kicked into high gear. In that span, Ohio State averaged nearly seven runs per game (6.91), hit .354 as a team and 33 extra base hits. Five everyday starts had a .300 or better batting average and outfielder Melina Wilkison was the Big Ten co-Player of the Week on March 21.

From there, over the final 28 games of the season the Buckeyes hit .300 as a team and scored seven or more runs 13 times. At the end of the season, Melina Wilkison and Kami Kortokrax were first team All-Big Ten performers while Sam Hackenbract, also an All-Big Ten and All-Region honoree, was among the Big Ten leaders in conference-only batting average (.421), RBI (24), slugging percentage (.737) and total bases (56).

Prior to Ohio State, Jones spent the 2022 as the hitting coach at UCF. The Knights won 49 games that season and advanced to their first-ever NCAA Super Regional.

A four-year letterwinner at the University of Washington, Jones began her coaching career at UW as a volunteer assistant coach (2018-21).