Trent Jones has been hired as the new head volleyball coach at Rockhurst University, announced RU Director of Athletics Gary Burns on Thursday, June 25.

Jones has spent the last nine years on the University of Missouri-Kansas City coaching staff, including the last six years as the Roos' associate head coach. Jones has been in charge of running day-to-day operations for the Kansas City program while serving as the Roos' lead defensive coach, head recruiting coordinator and travel coordinator.

"Trent brings both NCAA and GLVC success to the job. His familiarity with the program, the league, and the recruiting territory, will allow him to make a quick transition to Rockhurst," Burns said. "Trent's commitment to both academic and athletic success make him a great leader for a program steeped in tradition in both of those areas."

The Kansas City, Missouri native is succeeding Tracy Rietzke, who retired after 32 years at Rockhurst as the fourth winningest women's volleyball coach in NCAA history with 1,277 victories. Jones is inheriting a squad that posted a 33-8 record and advanced to the semifinals in the NCAA Division II National Championships for the second time in three years.

"I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to lead Rockhurst University women's volleyball as their new head coach," Jones said. "I would like to start off by thanking athletic director Gary Burns. It has been truly a pleasure to get to know him during the interview process. I'll look forward to working with him and his staff. I would also like to thank Hall of Fame coach Tracy Rietzke for leaving an amazing team, culture, and legacy."

Kansas City has collected 145 victories since Jones joined the coaching staff in 2011 under head coach Christi Posey. In the past nine seasons, the Roos posted seven winning records and had five consecutive winning seasons (2012-16) for the first time in school history. Sixteen players were named to All-Conference teams and three players earned All-Freshman honors.

"Coach Jones has been such an important part of Kansas City Volleyball in many ways," Posey said. "His relatability, his professionalism, and his volleyball expertise are tremendous attributes that will impact Rockhurst quickly. We appreciate his time, energy and investment in the young women in our Roo family and he will be greatly missed."

The Roos finished with a 17-12 record and its first-ever postseason tournament appearance in 2019. Kansas City enjoyed a 21-11 mark in 2018, which were the second-most wins ever in the history of the program.

In 2014, Kansas City broke school records for wins (24), conference wins (12) and consecutive wins (17). The Roos claimed their first-ever conference championship, winning the WAC regular season title. Kansas City won a pair of preseason tournament titles for the first time in school history and defeated Missouri for the third time in school history.

Prior to his time in Kansas City, Jones spent three seasons as the head coach at the University of Missouri-St. Louis from 2008-10. The Tritons posted a 64-28 overall record (.696) and a 35-10 conference mark (.778), including winning three of four meetings with Rockhurst. Jones produced 12 All-GLVC selections, four All-Region selections and an All-Region Freshman of the Year honoree.

In 2008, Jones directed the Tritons to their first appearance in the AVCA Top 25 since 1993, while being named the GLVC Coach of the Year as UMSL finished with a 23-8 record in his first season as a head coach.

UMSL returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 years in 2010, finishing with a 20-9 record and a 10-4 GLVC mark. The Tritons spent nine weeks in the AVCA Division II Coaches Poll, marking the first national ranking for the program since 1993. UMSL reached a high ranking of No. 19 and four players earned all-GLVC honors.

Prior to directing the UMSL program, Jones served as first assistant at Washburn University from 2004-08, helping the Lady Blues to a 129-23 record. In 2007, Washburn made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Final Four after achieving a school-record 35-3 record in 2005.

From 2002-04, Jones served as a volunteer assistant at the University of Kansas where he helped guide the Jayhawks to their best season in school history and first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003.

Jones was a member of the Columbia College men's volleyball team, where he led the Cougars to the 2000 NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship. Jones also played two seasons on the Graceland University volleyball team where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History with an emphasis on Civil Rights in 2002.