North Dakota Coach Brian Jones Signs Contract Extension

It was reported last week that North Dakota head coach Brian Jones has signed a contract extension that goes through at least the 2014-15 season, and includes options that could keep him as head coach through the 2016-17 season.

North Dakota is entering the Big Sky with some momentum, having won two straight Great West titles. That success was rewarded for Jones, who looked a couple seasons ago like he had a chance to be on the hot seat.

UND Athletic Director Brian Faison says Jones' base salary is $86,364, with several bonus incentives for accomplishments such as conference championships.

Jones has a nice returning group, and has signed three players to shore up the frontcourt, which was North Dakota's biggest area of need. UND will have a chance to make some noise early in their tenure in the Big Sky. They ranked eighth in my very early Big Sky rankings for next year three months ago, but there is a good chance that they will move up those rankings when I update them.

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North Dakota Signs Texas Tech Transfer Jaron Nash

This happened a few days, but I am just able to sit down and write about. Due to senior Nick Haugen reportedly not returning to the team next season, North Dakota had a third scholarship available. It was used to sign Texas Tech transfer forward Jaron Nash, a 6'8'' F who will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Nash is transferring to be closer to his father, who has multiple sclerosis, according to the Grand Forks Herald. Because of this, he is appealing to the NCAA to be eligible to play this season for North Dakota.

Nash played in 27 games for the Red Raiders last year, averaging about eight minutes per game. He averaged 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. He shot 52.8% from inside the arc, but a dreadful 12/43 (27.9% from the free throw line). He had pretty average rebounding rates, and turned the ball over a lot more times than he got assists.

All that said, it is clear that if he is able to play this year, he will compete for a starting spot right away. There are four guys likely etched into the starting lineup - Jamal Webb, Aaron Anderson, Troy Huff, and Brandon Brekke - but the other spot is clearly up for grabs. The most likely candidate to step in was probably JUCO big man Alonzo Traylor, but he would have stiff competition from Nash.

Going into the offseason, frontcourt depth was a huge issue for UND. After the spring signing period, it is clear that North Dakota has done a lot to clear up their biggest weakness.

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North Dakota to Sign Two This Spring

From the Grand Forks Herald, word that North Dakota will likely sign two guys this spring, according to head coach Brian Jones.

“We’re probably going to sign two guys this spring,” Jones said. “They’ll most likely be juco transfers or Division I transfers.”

UND also had a couple scholarships open up when Spencer Goodman's career ended (after a second shoulder surgery... we wish him the best), and the departure of Josh Gentry, who has left the program.

UND could desperately use some big men, and you have to figure that is what Coach Jones will target.

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