North Texas capped one of the best seasons in the history of its men’s basketball program by ensuring Johnny Jones’ future with the team Wednesday night.

Johnny Jones

The Mean Green head coach was heading into the final year of his contract, but has agreed in principle on a five-year extension. UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal announced the agreement — which still must be approved by the school’s board of regents — at the basketball program’s annual awards banquet at the Student Union.

“Coach Jones has established a situation where we continue to progress and escalate the talent level,” Villarreal said. “The biggest part in a successful program is continuity. I am confident and hopeful that the board will approve the contract that we will present, and coach Jones will be a part of the Mean Green family for a long time.”

Last season, Jones led the Mean Green to the Sun Belt Conference tournament title and its first berth in the NCAA Tournament since 1988. UNT set a school record for wins in a season by finishing 23-11.

“I am very appreciative of the confidence the university is showing in the staff, and the excitement they have showed in the direction of the program,” Jones said.

Jones took over a struggling program before the beginning of the 2001-02 season and posted at least a .500 record in three of his first five campaigns before the Mean Green’s breakout season that ended with a loss to Memphis in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Jones moved into third place in UNT history in career wins last season and has an 86-89 record in six years with the Mean Green.

Jones expressed confidence in the future of the program on a night when UNT honored several of the players who helped the Mean Green post one of the most memorable campaigns in program history.

Senior guard Calvin Watson was named the UNT men’s team MVP. The women’s team also handed out a series of postseason awards and named junior post Talicia Sanders the MVP.

UNT inks second McCoy

UNT head coach Johnny Jones announced Wednesday that he has added a second McCoy to his latest recruiting class.

Adam McCoy, a 6-3 guard from Mesa (Ariz.) Community College, has signed his national letter of intent and will continue his basketball career in the Dallas area, where he was a standout at Arlington Oakridge.

McCoy averaged 18.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals a game last year for Mesa. He will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Mean Green.

Adam McCoy joins Ryan McCoy, a point guard from Midland College, in the Mean Green’s latest recruiting class.

Adam McCoy shot 48.7 percent from 3-point range last season to rank No. 14 nationally among junior college players. He also ranked third in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference with an 83.5 free throw shooting percentage and shot 50 percent from the field.

“After losing a shooter like Calvin [Watson] and a player of his magnitude, we needed to bring in a player with the same type of skills,” Jones said. “We think we have found one in Adam McCoy.”

Adam McCoy was named to the second team of both the NJCAA Region I team and All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference team last season and appears to fill an immediate need for UNT. The Mean Green lost three of its top wing players from last season’s team in Watson, Kendrick Davis and Rich Young.

Jones said Adam McCoy can play either the shooting guard or small forward spot.

Adam McCoy committed to the Mean Green over several other programs that showed interest, including Boise State, Louisiana Tech and Texas-San Antonio.

McCoy averaged 21.7 points a game at Oakridge in the 2003-04 season and ranked among the leading scorers in the private school ranks in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

UNT has two scholarships remaining for its 2007 recruiting class.

Briefly …

Guard Collin Mangrum had offseason surgery on his right shoulder, but is expected to be ready in time for the beginning of practice in the fall.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com .

Men

Free Throw Award — Kendrick Davis

Assist Award — Ben Bell

Sixth Man Award — Michael Sturns

Most Versatile — Rich Young

Most Improved — Quincy Williams

MVP — Calvin Watson

Women

Free Throw Percentage Awad — Sanetra Jackson

Leadership Award — DiDi Wali

Defensive MVP — Tricia Lee

Offensive MVP — Amber Jackson

MVP — Talicia Sanders