Casey Jones ’90, is entering his first season as the Jay R. Bloom '77 Head Coach of Cornell Men's Hockey, taking over for Mike Schafer '86, who retired after spending a program-record 30 seasons as the Big Red's head coach (1995-25).
The 13th head coach in Cornell program history, Jones is in the second season of his third stint on the Big Red coaching staff, having served as an assistant coach (1991-93) and an associate head coach between 2008-11 and for the 2024-25 season.
Jones returned to East Hill following a 13-year tenure at fellow ECAC Hockey rival Clarkson (2012-24), where he amassed a record of 234-185-56 (.552) with the Golden Knights. He received the Tim Taylor Award, ECAC Hockey’s Coach of the Year, in 2019, bookended by two of Schafer’s five times being honored with the yearly award.
During his time in Potsdam, Clarkson registered six 20-win seasons, four of which came during a five-year stretch between 2015 and 2020. Clarkson, who finished within the top 16 in the pairwise rankings for five consecutive years from 2017-22, made a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances in 2018 and 2019, and was poised for a third consecutive trip in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic halted those aspirations. The Golden Knights made the ECAC Hockey semifinal on three occasions (2018, 2019, 2022) under Jones, which included winning the 2019 ECAC Hockey Tournament championship.
Prior to his first head coaching appointment, Jones returned to Cornell for a three-year stint, serving as an associate head coach (2008-11). The Big Red appeared in two NCAA Tournaments and won the 2010 ECAC Hockey Championship title while Jones was on staff, where the Big Red posted a 59-34-11 (.620) record and a 38-20-8 (.636) mark in ECAC Hockey contests over the three-year span.
Jones returned to East Hill after coaching at Ohio State for 13 seasons from 1995-2008 on John Markell’s staff. He served as an assistant coach for nine years (1995-2004) before being elevated to associate head coach for his remaining four years with the Buckeyes.
While at Ohio State, Jones served as the program’s recruiting coordinator, aiding in the recruitment of 20 NHL draft picks — including a trio of first-round picks in R.J. Umberger (16th overall in 2001), Dave Steckel (30th overall in 2001), and Ryan Kesler (23rd overall in 2003).
Known for being a staunch recruiter, the Buckeyes earned five NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a trip to the 1998 Frozen Four where they fell to Boston College in the national semifinal. Ohio State won one Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Super Six title in 2004, defeating Michigan for the program’s first CCHA championship in 32 seasons.
One year following his graduation from Cornell in 1990 with a degree in business management, Jones found his spot behind Cornell’s bench, serving as an assistant coach under Brian McCutcheon, the head coach whom he played for. Jones spent two seasons on McCutcheon’s staff from 1991-93 before making the move north to Clarkson for a two-year stint as an assistant coach on Mark Morris’ staff from 1993-95. While with the Golden Knights, Clarkson generated a 43-19-9 (.669) record, winning the 1995 ECAC Hockey Championship and earning a berth into the NCAA Tournament.
A standout center for the Big Red between 1986 and 1990, Jones accrued 112 points (30 goals, 82 assists) in 110 career games for Cornell, highlighted by 30-point seasons as a sophomore in 1987-88 (10-22—32) and a junior in 1988-89 (8-27—35) campaigns. Jones also served as captain during his senior season.
Following his freshman season at Cornell, Jones was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 10th round (203rd overall) of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.
Originally from Témiscaming, Québec, Jones is married to his wife, Kimberlee, a Cornell alumna, and has two children, Gabi and Bryan.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT COACH JONES
"Casey is an innovative recruiter, dynamic coach, and impressive husband and father! His experience and knowledge of Cornell and the ECAC is going to be a significant asset to Cornell hockey. Casey has a tremendous ability to connect people, instill clarity, and create an identity for the team and people he works with!" — Jason Lammers, Niagara men's hockey head coach, coached with Casey Jones at Ohio State (2006-08)
"Casey is a great family man and tremendous coach with unbelievable energy. I am very fortunate to had the chance to work for and learn from a great recruiter, mentor, and mind for the game." — Mike Towns, Michigan State men's hockey assistant coach, coached with Casey Jones at Clarkson (2019-22)
"I was very happy when I heard that Cornell was hiring Casey Jones as the 13th head coach in program history. My four years at Ohio State were where I went from a country boy with some hockey talent to a man who was ready to play professional hockey at the highest level. Casey was a consummate professional, and his knowledge of the game astounds me to this very day. I am excited for Casey, but I might be even more excited for the program because I know that they have gained one of the best minds in the game. I'm sure that Casey will take that program to new heights for many years to come!" — Tyson Strachan, former NHL player, played for Casey Jones at Ohio State (2003-07)
"I remember Casey as one of my favorite coaches of my career. He will play the best players, regardless of seniority. His open-door policy allows players to develop a relationship with him that goes well beyond what is happening on the ice. He strives to make his athletes better students and better people off the ice and he is a big reason why I was able to get to the NHL. I wish him and his family nothing but the best." — Nico Sturm, current NHL player with the San Jose Sharks, played for Casey Jones at Clarkson (2016-19)
"Casey is a very personable coach who cares about the relationship with his players outside of the rink. Coach Jones is a very passionate coach and his detailed knowledge and expertise around the game elevates his players on ice performance. Cornell is very lucky to have him behind the bench." — Josh Dunne, current player within Buffalo Sabres organization, played for Casey Jones at Clarkson (2018-21)
