Casey Jones '90 is entering his second season as the Jay R. Bloom '77 Head Coach of Cornell Men's Hockey. He succeeded Mike Schafer '86, who retired after a program-record 30 seasons leading the program (1995-2025).
The 13th head coach in Cornell program history, Jones is in his third year of his third stint on the Big Red coaching staff, having previously served as an assistant coach (1991-93) and associate head coach (2008-11 and 2024-25).
In his first season, Jones guided the Big Red to a 22-11-1 overall record and a 15-6-1 mark in ECAC Hockey play. His 22 wins tied the program record for victories by a first-year head coach, matching Dick Bertrand '70's 22-5-1 mark in 1970-71. Cornell earned an at-large bid into the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Championship — the program's fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, tying the longest streak in program history (1967-70).
The Big Red finished the 2025-26 campaign with the third-best scoring defense (2.03 goals against per game) and converted on 23.8 percent of its power plays (13th nationally). Freshman goaltender Alexis Cournoyer earned First Team All-ECAC Hockey honors and the Ken Dryden Goaltender of the Year award, while junior forward Jonathan Castagna was also a First Team All-ECAC Hockey selection and named the league's Best Defensive Forward. Freshman defenseman Xavier Veilleux was nominated for ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year, along with Cournoyer, and junior defenseman Hoyt Stanley was a finalist for Best Defensive Defenseman.
Jones returned to East Hill following a 13-year tenure at ECAC Hockey rival Clarkson (2012-24), where he compiled a 234-185-56 (.552) record. He received the Tim Taylor Award, ECAC Hockey's Coach of the Year, in 2019, the same year he led the Golden Knights to an ECAC Hockey Tournament championship title and NCAA Tournament appearance. Clarkson made three ECAC Hockey semifinal appearances (2018, 2019, 2022), earned six 20-win seasons and finished in the top 16 of the PairWise rankings for five consecutive years (2017-22) under his watch. The Golden Knights also made an additional NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018, and were poised for a third consecutive trip in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the sseason.
Prior to his first head coaching appointment, Jones returned to Cornell for a three-year stint as associate head coach (2008-11), helping the Big Red to two NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2010 ECAC Hockey Championship. He spent the preceding 13 seasons on John Markell's staff at Ohio State (1995-2008), rising from assistant coach to associate head coach and serving as the program's recruiting coordinator. Jones aided in the recruitment of 20 NHL draft picks — including first-round selections R.J. Umberger (16th overall, 2001), Dave Steckel (30th overall, 2001) and Ryan Kesler (23rd overall, 2003). The Buckeyes earned five NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure, highlighted by a 1998 Frozen Four run, and won the 2004 CCHA championship.
Jones began his coaching career at Cornell, serving as an assistant under head coach Brian McCutcheon '71 from 1991-93 before joining Mark Morris' staff at Clarkson from 1993-95. The Golden Knights posted a 43-19-9 (.669) record during that span, winning the 1995 ECAC Hockey Championship and earning an NCAA Tournament berth.
A standout center for the Big Red from 1986-90, Jones totaled 112 points (30-82—112) in 110 career games and served as team captain his senior season. He was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 10th round (203rd overall) of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.
Originally from Témiscaming, Québec, Jones graduated from Cornell in 1990 with a degree in business management. He is married to his wife, Kimberlee, a Cornell alumna, and has two children, Gabi and Bryan.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT COACH JONES
"Casey is an innovative recruiter, dynamic coach, and impressive husband and father! His experience and knowledge of Cornell and the ECAC is going to be a significant asset to Cornell hockey. Casey has a tremendous ability to connect people, instill clarity, and create an identity for the team and people he works with!" — Jason Lammers, Niagara men's hockey head coach, coached with Casey Jones at Ohio State (2006-08)
"Casey is a great family man and tremendous coach with unbelievable energy. I am very fortunate to had the chance to work for and learn from a great recruiter, mentor, and mind for the game." — Mike Towns, Michigan State men's hockey assistant coach, coached with Casey Jones at Clarkson (2019-22)
"I was very happy when I heard that Cornell was hiring Casey Jones as the 13th head coach in program history. My four years at Ohio State were where I went from a country boy with some hockey talent to a man who was ready to play professional hockey at the highest level. Casey was a consummate professional, and his knowledge of the game astounds me to this very day. I am excited for Casey, but I might be even more excited for the program because I know that they have gained one of the best minds in the game. I'm sure that Casey will take that program to new heights for many years to come!" — Tyson Strachan, former NHL player, played for Casey Jones at Ohio State (2003-07)
"I remember Casey as one of my favorite coaches of my career. He will play the best players, regardless of seniority. His open-door policy allows players to develop a relationship with him that goes well beyond what is happening on the ice. He strives to make his athletes better students and better people off the ice and he is a big reason why I was able to get to the NHL. I wish him and his family nothing but the best." — Nico Sturm, current NHL player with the San Jose Sharks, played for Casey Jones at Clarkson (2016-19)
"Casey is a very personable coach who cares about the relationship with his players outside of the rink. Coach Jones is a very passionate coach and his detailed knowledge and expertise around the game elevates his players on ice performance. Cornell is very lucky to have him behind the bench." — Josh Dunne, current player within Buffalo Sabres organization, played for Casey Jones at Clarkson (2018-21)
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