Stetson University Athletics

Chris Jones serves as an assistant coach with the Stetson Softball program, bringing more than three decades of experience as both a player and coach to DeLand… His extensive background includes international coaching experience with the Canadian National Team program and a decorated playing career representing Team Canada. Working alongside head coach Shellie Cousins, Jones has contributed to the continued development of the Hatters and was part of a historic 2026 season that included an ASUN Tournament Championship, an NCAA Tournament appearance and a victory over No. 9 Florida State. At Stetson, Jones works alongside Cousins and the Hatters' coaching staff in the day-to-day development of the softball program… His international playing and coaching background provides a broad perspective as he works with Stetson's student-athletes. Jones was part of the Stetson staff during the Hatters' championship run in 2026… The season culminated with the program's sixth ASUN Tournament Championship and first conference tournament title since 2014. The championship secured Stetson's return to the NCAA Tournament and a berth in the Tallahassee Regional. Stetson captured the 2026 ASUN Tournament Championship with a 4-0 victory over Central Arkansas… The title marked the program's first ASUN Tournament Championship in 12 years. Hayley Arnold delivered a complete-game shutout in the championship game and was named ASUN Tournament MVP after throwing 11.1 consecutive scoreless innings during the tournament. Arnold, Ava Braswell, Nicole Edmiaston and Irianis Garcia were each named to the ASUN All-Tournament Team following the Hatters' championship run. Jones and the Hatters continued their postseason run at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional, where Stetson opened tournament play with an 8-3 victory over No. 9 Florida State… The victory marked Stetson's first NCAA Tournament win since 2014. The Hatters recorded 12 hits and two home runs against the Seminoles… Amber Chumley finished with three hits, four RBI and a home run, while Logan Forman added a two-run home run. Arnold earned the victory in the circle before Braswell closed the game with two scoreless innings of relief. Before joining Stetson, Jones built an extensive coaching résumé within the Canadian National Team program… He spent four years working with the program as a coach and instructor and was named to Canada's coaches pool in 2016. Jones served as an assistant coach with the Canadian Women's Elite Team in 2018 before joining the Women's National Team staff in 2019. That year, he served as an assistant coach for Canada at the Pan American Games and the Softball Americas Qualifier in Surrey, British Columbia. Jones also coached Team Ontario at the 2021 Canada Games in Niagara, Ontario. Prior to his coaching career, Jones established himself as one of Canada's accomplished international softball players… From 1993 through 2004, he made multiple appearances as Team Canada's starting shortstop. Jones helped Canada capture gold medals at the 1995 Pan American Games in Argentina and the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg. He also helped Canada earn silver medals at the Men's Softball World Championships in 1996 and 2004. Jones also enjoyed an extensive club softball career from 1991-2006… During that span, his teams captured 12 gold medals, five silver medals and four bronze medals across Provincial, National and International Softball Congress competition. He was named the Tournament All-Star shortstop at three Canadian Championships and earned All-World Team honors at shortstop in both 1995 and 1998. Jones' accomplishments as a player were recognized in 2013 when he was inducted into the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame. The induction honored a career that included success at the national, international and club levels while representing Canada on some of softball's biggest stages. Jones' career spans more than three decades in softball as both a player and coach… His résumé includes international championships, national-team coaching experience, world championship medals and extensive work developing athletes at the highest levels of the sport. That combination of playing and coaching experience provides Stetson's student-athletes with a perspective shaped by elite competition at the national and international levels.