Lincoln Land Community College Women's Basketball

Coach Chad Jones begins his ninth season as the Loggers Head Women’s Basketball Coach. In his first season in 2018-19, the Loggers set a school record with 27 wins. The Loggers finished the season ranked #5 in the NJCAA national rankings. In the second season with Jones at the helm, the Loggers matched their previous season’s win total with another 27-win campaign. In his second season, the Loggers climbed to as high as #2 in the national rankings. In a covid shortened third season the Loggers finished the year ranked #14 in the nation. The Loggers again broke the school record in the 21-22 season, going 28-5 and winning the school’s first MWAC Conference title.  In the 23-24 season, the Loggers again matched the school record of 28 wins.  In this campaign the Loggers captured the NJCAA Region 24 crown, the Central District championship, and made an elite eight appearance at the national championships.  The 24-25 team, once again, set a school record with 34 wins.  This team won the MWAC championship, Region 24 championship, and placed 5th at the NJCAA National Championships.  The 25-26 season again saw the Loggers advance to the national championships and finished with a 28-6 record.   Before becoming Lincoln Lands women’s coach, Jones spent the previous 17 seasons leading the Lincoln Land men’s program. Under the direction of Coach Jones, the Loggers men recorded the school’s first ever back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2004-2006, with the 2004-2005 campaign equaling the school record of 22 wins. In the 2011-12 season Coach Jones guided the Loggers to their first ever appearance in the NJCAA Region 24 title game. In 2016 Coach Jones became the school’s all-time leader in men’s coaching victories and finished his men’s career with 243 victories at Lincoln Land.  Coach Jones is currently the all-time wins leader for the women’s program as well. Jones was named the MWAC coach of the year in 2022 and 2025.  He was the 2022 NJCAA Region 24 coach in 2022.  In the 2024 and 2025 seasons he was selected as the NJCAA Central District coach of the year.  He was selected as the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association coach of the year in the 24-24, 24-25, and 25-26 seasons.  Jones is a 2026 inductee to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.   Chad is a 1993 graduate of Canton High School. He played Junior College basketball at nationally ranked Danville Area Community College. He then took his play to NCAA Division 1 Western Illinois University. Jones is married to Nichole (Mann) and they have one son, Josh.  

Coach Gary Albert is entering his 17th season with the Loggers. He served as the assistant in 2009 before becoming the head women’s coach in 2010, then in 2018 he transitioned back to assistant for the program. Prior to coming to Lincoln Land, Gary had been involved with the basketball programs of the following:  Rochester School District, Ursuline Academy, Springfield Lutheran High School and the Central Illinois Predators. As a head coach at Lincoln Land, Gary has had the opportunity to coach five nationally ranked teams. He collected over 100 victories as the head coach.  He brings over 30 years coaching experience to the sideline. “Gary is truly a great coach. He has spent his life helping kids and has a tremendous passion and knowledge of the game. We are fortunate to have him. He makes my job easy.” Stated Head Coach Chad Jones. Gary is a graduate of Glenwood High School. He went on to play basketball at Lincoln Land before transferring to Western Illinois University. Gary graduated from WIU with a degree in education and worked at the Rochester School District until 2018 until he retired from teaching. Gary resides in Springfield with his wife Tammy. They have a daughter Mariah.