Jackson, Mississippi – Jones College head men’s basketball coach Newton Mealer has received the Region 23/Gulf District Coach of the Year award for a third straight season, according to school officials. The award is given automatically to the region champion.
The Bobcats won their third consecutive region championship after defeating Itawamba Community College 102-96 in overtime on March 12. It was the first time an Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference team has won three straight region titles since East Mississippi Community College achieved four in a row from 2009 to 2013.
Jones made an unprecedented third straight appearance in the NJCAA Division I Tournament but fell to No. 24 Daytona State on March 21. The team finished the season with a 24-10 record, marking one of its best seasons under Mealer.
Mealer became the fastest Bobcat head coach to reach 100 wins earlier this season, achieving the milestone with a 91-74 victory over Lawson State on Dec. 2. Since taking over at Jones, he has compiled a 115-40 record, including an 81-21 mark over the past three seasons. During his tenure, he has led the team to two MACCC championships and three region crowns.
Mealer, the 17th head men’s basketball coach in school history, previously coached at Center Hill High School for 12 years. He played college basketball at Southern Miss under coach M.K. Turk from 1989 to 1993.
