Columbus Crew SC announced Thursday that Kelvin Jones has been appointed as the club's new academy director after stepping up from his position as the club's U-19 head coach.
"We are delighted to promote Kelvin to the position of Crew SC Academy Director,” said Crew SC Technical Director and Vice-President of Soccer Operations Pat Onstad in a team release. “Kelvin is a natural leader and someone who not only understands the culture of our club, but who has also played a key role in player and coaching development.
"Throughout his time with the club, he has continued to step-up and succeed in positions he has taken on and he is an excellent testament to the talent we have within our organization. We want to congratulate Kelvin on his new role and look forward to seeing him continue to grow with this club.”
Jones, who has been working with the club's academy teams since 2017, holds a number of coaching certifications including a U.S. Soccer Federation A License, a NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, a U.S. Soccer Federation National Youth License and he is currently working towards an Elite Formation Coaching License, which is operated as a partnership between MLS and the French Football Federation.
A former player with USL sides Charleston Battery and Richmond Kickers, Jones reached the semifinals of the US Open Cup and won two USL Second Division championships.
The news comes ahead of the start of MLS NEXT, the new elite youth development platform created by Major League Soccer in collaboration with the top elite youth academies around the country. Officially unveiled earlier this week, the first games in the new competition will take place this weekend.
