Dr. Chris Jones (born August 29, 1940 Newport, TN) received his BS from Carson-Newman, his Masters from the University of Mississippi, and his Doctorate of Education from the University of Georgia
He still holds records in three sports from Cocke County High School. While attending Carson-Newman he was their first All-American in any sport and led their basketball team to their first 2 NAIA National Tournaments. Dr. Jones is Member of Carson Newman and NAIA Hall of Fames and All-Century Teams. He was drafted by NBA Cincinnati Royals and ABL Kansas City Steers and played for Oakland Oaks and Louisville Colonels in the ABA. He led 4 different Southeastern AAU All-Star teams to four consecutive National Tournament in Denver, Colorado scoring over 1500 points in 5 consecutive years while averaging over 44 points per game.
After his professional career, Dr. Jones returned to Carson-Newman as coach in 1981 taking a 5-23 team from previous year and winning 28 games the first year. He averaged 30 wins a year the first four years as his 83 and 84 teams each won 31 games and finished high in the National Tournament in Kansas City. In his seven seasons he led the Eagles to a 185-60 record averaging 26 wins for his tenure. Dr. Jones went on to write two books on Carson-Newman athletics. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Lincoln Memorial University. He gives God the credit for all of his achievements and continues to give back through a jail ministry, senior citizens/nursing home, handicap, F.C.A. and sports clinics as the Swish Doctor.