HBCU Legends

UIC Deputy AD Says Flames Have An 'Ongoing Open Search' And 'Not Offered' Position To NSU Coach Robert Jones, Any Candidate

Norfolk State's head coach reportedly in contract negotiations with UIC.

Kyle T. Mosley

On Tuesday morning, The UIC Flames Deputy AD Frank Cuervo spoke to HBCU Legends about the program's head basketball coach search and said early reports are "ahead of the game" and have an "ongoing open search."

He was referencing an earlier report from Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68, stated that Norfolk State Spartans coach Robert Jones is negotiating with the University of Illinois Chicago to become the program's new head coach.

"The job has not been offered, and to say that we are in negotiations with someone at this point would not be accurate. We've met with candidates, and up to and including today, we'll continue to meet with candidates," Cuervo said.

Coach Jones, 44, and the No. 1-seeded Spartans are preparing to host the CIT game with the Alabama A&M and Austin Peay contest winner.

Coach Robert Jones
Mar 16, 2022; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Norfolk State Spartans head coach Robert Jones speaks to the media during practice before the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Norfolk State lost to Howard University, 80-74, in the 2023-24 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament semifinal. Jones and NSU had NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament visits in 2021 and 2022 and won the MEAC regular-season title three times in 2019, 2022, 2021 (Nothern Division), and 2023. 

During his eleven seasons at Norfolk State,  Jones has been considered one of the best basketball coaches in HBCU sports.  He's led the Spartans to a coaching record of 210-149 in his tenure and earned three MEAC Coach of the Year honors.

Jones is a native of South Jamaica, New York.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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