The Unity Softball travel ball organization announced on Tuesday that Bryan Jones, the former assistant coach and catching coordinator at Duke University, will be joining the club program as Director of Player Development.

“Bryan has a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the game,” Unity head Josh Johnson noted, “both as a former professional player and as a collegiate coach. His ability to teach the fundamentals and focus on the overall development of athletes will be a great asset to the Unity Softball organization. His leadership and expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of the team.”

Jones helped coach the Blue Devils to an impressive 2024 season – a school record 52 wins and a 20-4 ACC mark. It was also a year of firsts for Duke: the first time the softball team ever captured the ACC regular-season championship title and the first-ever appearance in the Women’s College World Series.

The staff, led by Head Coach Marissa Young, was also named the NFCA Southeast Coaching Staff of the Year.

The decision to leave such a successful collegiate program was a tough one, Jones admits.

“I had a great year and enjoyed being there but being I have a freshman (in high school) starting this year and the family had no desire to move,” he explains. “I also didn’t want to be in Durham (North Carolina) by myself.”

Where one door closes, another opens and the coach says he’s excited to get to work with the successful club organization.

“I am ready to get to work,” Jones said of the new position. “Unity Softball has grown to be one of the premier clubs in the nation and, after meeting with Josh and staff at Unity, I knew this was the place for me and it gives me the ability to do what I love most — instruct and develop athletes.”

A native of Plantation, Fla., his coaching repertoire includes stints with Duke University, Brookhaven Bucks, Barons Christian Baseball and Prince Avenue where he honed his skills as a head coach and hitting and infield coach.

His athletic background also includes a strong history in baseball. Jones was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1994 and subsequently had an eight-year professional playing career with stints playing for the Nashua Pride, Amarillo Dillas, Nicaragua Matagalpa, Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks, and Lakeland Flying Tigers.

Notably, he was a key player in two MiLB championship teams in 1995 and 1999.

The married father of five retired from playing in 2006 and opened Evolution Baseball and Softball Academy in Lawrenceville, Ga., to train athletes hoping to play at the collegiate and professional level.

For 17 years, Jones served in various roles at the Academy, including Director of Baseball and Softball Operations, Director of Community Outreach and Mentor Programs, and as a hitting and defense coach.

Johnson said he spoke for his Unity entire organization when expressing his optimism that the new hiring will be great for the travel organization’s athletes.

“Join us in welcoming Bryan Jones—a true game-changer—to the Unity Softball family,” he concluded.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball