In the debut episode, USCHO’s Jim Connelly goes inside Bentley Arena for an extended conversation with Jones, now in his fourth season leading the Falcons after guiding the program to back-to-back Atlantic Hockey America championships and consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.
Jones discusses the transition into his first head-coaching job, the philosophy and relationships behind Bentley’s rise, and what it means to build a Division I hockey program at a smaller school in the blue-collar city of Waltham, Massachusetts. He reflects on the people who fought to keep Bentley hockey alive, the growth of the program and its community, and the identity he believes has become the foundation of its success.
The conversation also looks at the rapidly changing landscape of college hockey — including NIL, the transfer portal, player retention and 5-for-5 eligibility — and how Bentley hopes to remain competitive without losing sight of what the program is trying to be.
Plus, Jones opens up about the responsibilities of being a head coach, the senior class that helped transform the program, leadership inside a hockey locker room and his long-term vision for Bentley hockey.
Behind the Bench takes viewers beyond the standings and inside the programs, people and philosophies shaping college hockey.
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