The Washburn athletic department announced Friday afternoon Chris Jones as the new women’s soccer head coach.

After conducting a national search, Washburn hired Chris Jones, who was formerly an assistant coach for the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team. Jones said he believes his experience there has greatly prepared him for the position at Washburn.

“I felt like an associate head coach,” Jones said of his time coaching at Fort Hays State.

Jones said his first priority will be getting to know the players, both on and off the field.

The new hire comes with years of experience playing the game as well as coaching it. A University of Oklahoma alum, Jones was a part of the Tulsa Nationals Club Soccer team from 2000 to 2007. He also played as a practice member for Oklahoma’s women’s soccer team, who went on to boast the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

Before Oklahoma, Jones attended Northeastern State University where he played goalkeeper from 2007-2009.

Jones said last year’s season at Washburn was “a blip on the radar,” and rather he will focus on the entire program that has been built throughout the years. He said he is most looking forward to just watching the women play, and has set a goal “to put Washburn on the map” nationally.

Jones’ first day at Washburn will be July 13.