BOSTON – Marshall’s Cornelius Jackson and Old Dominion’s Mike Jones have been named finalists for the 2024-25 Joe B. Hall Award which is presented annually to the top first-time head coach in NCAA Division I college basketball.
 
An alumnus in his first season at the helm of Marshall’s program, Jackson led the program to a 19-12 record, including a 14-3 mark in home games and a 12-6 ledger in conference games. The Herd also earned the No. 5 seed in the Sun Belt Conference Championship bracket. Under his guidance, graduate forward Obinna Anochili-Killen was named the 2025 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and an All-Sun Belt Second Team selection.
 
Jones, who is also in his first year leading his alma mater, guided Old Dominion to 12 wins overall and an 8-8 mark against Sun Belt opponents. The Monarchs rank sixth nationally in offensive rebounding while senior guard Sean Durugordon earned All-Sun Belt Third Team honors while ranking sixth nationally in double-doubles and 10th in total rebounds. Redshirt sophomore guard Robert Davis Jr., ranked sixth in the country in 3-pointers made per game.
 
The recipients of the Joe B. Hall Award are determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com.
 
The 2025 award will be announced in San Antonio, Texas, the site of the 2025 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship.
 
About The Riley Wallace Award
The Joe B. Hall award is named in honor of longtime Kentucky head coach Joe B. Hall who was given the task of following the legendary Adolph Rupp at the school. In his first season, Hall finished 20-8, won the SEC and advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals.