FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Former Northern Arizona women's soccer player Holly Jones, a part-time NAU assistant coach for the last-two seasons, has been hired as a full-time assistant, tenth-year head coach Andre Luciano announced. One of the most decorated players in Northern Arizona soccer history, Jones has experience coaching soccer at the youth, high school and collegiate levels since she graduated from Northern Arizona in 2002. The 2010 NAU women's soccer season will be her third campaign as the program's top assistant coach.

"We are ecstatic to have such a distinguished alumni and NAU hall of famer back as a full time assistant coach," said Luciano. "Holly has served as a part-time coach with us for the last-two seasons and has been instrumental in turning our program into conference champions. Our players know her very well and she knows the program and our history very well. It's an honor to have an alum like Holly working with our program"

For the last two seasons, Jones has assisted with all facets of team technical and tactical training, working especially with forwards, pattern play and set pieces. She also assists with team transportation, game day operations and evaluations and mentoring of the student athletes. Jones has also served as an NAU soccer camp counselor and coach and has experience as the Director of Coaching for Flagstaff Soccer Club and as a coach with the Arizona Youth Soccer Association.

From 2001 to 2008, Jones served as the head women's soccer coach at Flagstaff High School, earning a reputation as a skilled and dedicated coach. From 2006 to this past spring, she taught special needs physical education as well as outdoor recreation and skills for adolescents at Flagstaff High.

During her tenure as head coach at Flagstaff High, Jones turned Flagstaff into one of the premiere 4A soccer programs in the state. In 2007, Jones led Flagstaff High School to the 4A II Arizona State Championship. In 2008, Jones guided the Eagles to a 15-2-0 overall record and a 6-0 mark in the Grand Canyon League. Flagstaff entered the state tournament as the No. 1 seed and once again earned the Arizona 4A II State Championship.

A four-year starter and letterwinner for the Lumberjacks, Jones holds nearly every offensive career record including points, career goals, game-winning goals, multiple-goal matches, and shots. Jones also holds the top honors for consecutive matches with 76, playing in every match during her four-year career.

During her time with the Lumberjacks, Jones was a four-time All-Big Sky All-Academic selection, was a two-time All-Big Sky first team performer (1998, 2001) and a second team selection in 2000. She led the Lumberjacks to two appearances in the Big Sky Conference Championships earning All-Tournament team honors both seasons. Jones is the Big Sky Conference record holder for points, goals and shots in a career. In 2007, Jones became the first female soccer player to be inducted into the NAU Hall of Fame.