| Bob Jones | |
| Birth Date: | 20 February 1940 |
| Birth Place: | Bellevue, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Player Years1: | 1959–1962 |
| Player Team1: | Georgetown (KY) |
| Coach Years1: | 1965–1967 |
| Coach Team1: | Georgetown (KY) (assistant) |
| Coach Years2: | 1967–1972 |
| Coach Team2: | Kentucky Wesleyan (assistant) |
| Coach Years3: | 1972–1980 |
| Coach Team3: | Kentucky Wesleyan |
| Admin Years1: | 1972–1980 |
| Admin Team1: | Kentucky Wesleyan |
| Championships: | NCAA Division II Tournament (1973) |
| Awards: | NABC Division II Coach of the Year (1973) |
Robert Earl Jones[1] (February 20, 1940 – May 14, 2021) was an American college basketball coach who was a men's head coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College. He played basketball at Georgetown College in Kentucky. He worked two years as assistant coach at Georgetown College before becoming assistant-coach with the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers in 1967. In 1972, he was promoted to head coach, after the resignation of Bob Daniels. Jones was also named the school's athletic director, succeeding William Douglas, who had resigned earlier in the year.[2] [3] [4]
Jones was fired as head coach in December 1979, but agreed to finish the season. On February 25, 1980, he coached his last game at Kentucky Wesleyan.[5] He was hampered in his career by ailment and accusations of unenthusiastic recruiting.[6] Jones resigned as athletic director in July.[7]
Jones brought The Panthers to the 1973 NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship.[8]
Jones died in Cincinnati on May 14, 2021, at age 81.[9]