BU's choice appears to be Jones
DETROIT - Boston University's search for a men's basketball coach is entering its final stages, and according to multiple sources at BU and the University of Tennessee, Volunteers associate head coach Tony Jones appears to be the choice.
Barring any last-minute snags in a deal that is expected to be completed in the next few days, an official announcement could come next week.
"They are talking and working on a few things," said a source familiar with the negotiations. "But it looks pretty good."
The search began three weeks ago after athletic director Mike Lynch fired Dennis Wolff, who compiled a 247-197 record in 15 seasons, leaving as the winningest coach in school history.
The move was surprising since Wolff had four years remaining on his contract and had just guided the Terriers to a 17-13 record after three consecutive losing seasons.
Lynch, who has declined to comment since issuing a written statement praising Wolff for all he had done for the program, at the time he fired him, felt BU needs not only to win more games, but to upgrade its level of excitement, which Lynch felt would bring bigger crowds.
Lynch hired an Atlanta-based search firm to compile a list of candidates to replace Wolff. After reviewing the list and interviewing a handful of candidates, Lynch focused on Jones, who just finished his fourth season as associate coach at Tennessee, and his seventh on coach Bruce Pearl's staff.
Jones, who is known as an aggressive recruiter, also spent four seasons with Pearl at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and before that, five seasons at Toledo and three at Buffalo.
Now, barring any snags or a change of heart, Jones appears headed to Boston. 