Jones, a native of Slickville, Pa., finished the season with a 30-2 record that placed him second at the NCAA Championships in the 184-pound weight class. He became WVU's first three-time All-American in wrestling and finished with a 95-21 career mark, sixth best in WVU history.
This season, Jones became just the third EWL wrestler to ever become a four-time champion. He is the first Mountaineer to accomplish that feat. He finished his career with a perfect 11-0 record in the EWL tournament.
Jones also won the WVU Open, the Navy Classic and the Las Vegas Invitational this season. During the season, he set the all-time consecutive wins mark at 24.
Virginia Tech's Keith Mourfam was named the conference coach of the year, while Cleveland State heavyweight Russ Davie was named freshman of the year.
Within the last year, Jones co-coached the 1999 World Cup team, which won four gold medals along with a team championship. He also coached the Sunkist Kids Club to a national free-style championship and was an assistant coach on the 1999 U.S. World Team. He will also serve as head coach of the NCAA All-Star team that will travel to Europe to compete in Italy and Bulgaria, May 26-June 6. Jones served as an assistant coach on the team last year.
Three other candidates are also up for the award. John Smith and Greg Strobel, co-coaches of the 2000 Olympic team and Donnie McPherson, co-coach of the 1999 World Cup team.
Jones finished his second season as assistant coach on the Mountaineer wrestling coaching staff and helped lead the Mountaineers to a 6-4-1 overall record.
The award will be presented at the end of the month.