Laney Jones joined the Valpo softball coaching staff in October 2022 and enters her second season with the Beacons in 2024. She is in charge of working with the Beacons’ pitching staff.

In her first season in 2023, Jones helped Valpo earn just its second regular season series win in program history over UIC, a history which spans four different conferences, as well as the team's second series win over Bradley since joining the MVC. Jones' pitchers threw three one-hitters or better in a five-day span in April, highlighted by Caitlin Kowalski tossing a no-hitter at Bradley - the 12th no-hitter in program history. 

Jones came to Valpo after spending the 2022 season as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio. Working with the Falcons’ pitchers, Jones helped lower the staff ERA by over a full run from the previous season.

Jones finished up her collegiate career at Marshall University, where she pitched her final two seasons. In the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Jones ranked sixth nationally with four saves, tying the Herds’ single-season record. As a senior in 2021, she posted a 5-2 record, pitched three shutouts and was twice named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week.

Jones pitched two years (2018, 2019) at Ashland University prior to transferring to Marshall. She won 21 games over her two seasons with the Eagles and was a Second Team All-GLIAC selection in 2019.

Jones has given private pitching lessons and worked clinics for a number of years. She graduated from Marshall with a bachelor’s degree in sports management in 2021 and earned a master’s degree in business administration and management from Notre Dame College in 2022.