Richard “Itch” “Itchy” Jones died after a three-year battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Jones earned the nickname “Itchy” from his cousin, Albert, after breaking his leg in third grade and using the handle of a fly swatter to relieve the itchiness between the cast and his skin.
Highlights
- Richard “Itch” “Itchy” died on February 17, 2025, after nearly three years of battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
- Jones was named “Ithcy” by his cousin Albert after breaking his leg in third grade.
- He married Sue Jones and welcomed two children: Michael and Susan Jones.
The nickname stuck for the remainder of his Life, changing only from “Ithcy” to “Itch” after Jones was named the head coach at the University of Illinois in 1991 to help him differentiate the people he knew from Southern Illinois University and the start of his new home in Champaign-Urbana.
Itch Jones’ coaching record speaks for itself with an all-time mark of 1,240-718-6, including a school-record 738 wins in 21 seasons at SIU and 474 victories in 15 years at Illinois.
His additional 18 victories came during the first three seasons from 1966-68 as head coach at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois.
He retired from coaching in 2005 as one of the most decorated coaches in NCAA history.
At the end of the campaign, he ranked 13th on the NCAA Division I wins list and eighth among active coaches.
Jones’ finest season at Illinois was in 1998 when the Illini won their first regular Big Ten Championship in 35 years.
Richard “Itch” “Itchy” Jones Died At the Age of 87
Legendary Illini Baseball coach Richard “Itch” “Itchy” Jones, born on February 15, 1938, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025, at 87, from the complications of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
He had battled the disease for nearly three years after initially being given just seven months to live.
Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb poured a small tribute to Jones. He said,
“Itch leaves an unfillable void in our world and the baseball community,” “He was ahead of his time with his baseball teachings and innovative drills. He was blessed with one of the best minds in the game of baseball. A teacher, clinician, entertainer, and champion. “He was an outstanding father, husband, brother, and coach. Itch was a second father to me, a lifelong baseball and life mentor. Many of the things we do in our program to this day – both on and off the field – are based on the fundamentals and values that Itch taught and instilled in me. “Itch was the best human being I have ever been around in my life. I will miss him dearly. He will be missed by all that he touched during his lifetime.”
Dan Hartleb
Staff writer at The State Journal-Register/USA Today Network, Steven Spearie, poured a small tribute to Jones through his official Facebook handle by stating,
Just learning about the passing of Richard ‘Itchy’ Jones. He won over 1200 games as a baseball coach at MacMurray College, Southern Illinois and the U of I.
Steven Spearie
Southern Illinois University graduate Darrin Barton also sent his heartfelt condolences and talked about Jones’s positive impact on his players. He wrote,
Itchy Jones had a positive impact on everyone, not just his players! He will be missed but his stories and his memory will last forever!! Rest In Peace Itch
Darrin Barton
SIU Baseball Alumi sent their prayers to Jones’ family to stay strong in this challenging time. They wrote,
Very sad day for Saluki Baseball. After a very long illness and a courageous battle, Coach Itchy Jones passed away this evening in Oklahoma. He just reached his 87th birthday two days ago. Our program would never have reached the sustained national prominence without the leadership of Coach Jones. More info will be forthcoming later. Please keep Sue, Susan, Michael and the Jones family in your prayers. We have a lost a real giant for our university and college baseball. Rest in peace, Itch.
SIU Baseball Alumni
Itchy Jones will be remembered forever for his unforgettable contributions to baseball.
Rest in Peace, the legendary coach Richard “Itch” “Itchy” Jones.
Coach Itchy Jones And His Wife Sue Were Married For 62 Years
Richard “Itch” “Itchy” Jones married Sue Jones in 1962 after dating for several years. Sadly, their married Life ended after 62 years following the tragic death of Richard.
Sue and Richard were blessed with their first child, a son named Michael, who is married to Carol Jones and lives in Louisville, Kentucky.
However, Michael has avoided social media, so only a little information about his Life is available.
After several years, Richard and Sue welcomed their second child, a daughter, Susan Jones. Per her Facebook handle, she is in a relationship with a Morton resident, Kevin McNamara.
Recently, Susan took to her Facebook handle and announced the tragic death news of her father, Richard. She wrote,
Heartbroken & devastated.. Im Lost for words at this time… Your fight is now over… Rest easy.. I Love you, Dad
Susan Jones
As per the source, Richard and Sue had two grandchildren: Richard Jones and Micah Jones.
Additional Information
- Richard “Ithc” Itchy” Jones was the son of Jinx “Jiggs” and Rosine Jones and was a brother to R.A. “Cowboy” Jones, a 50-plus-year jockey who raced in the United States and Canada.
- He was a member of nine Hall of Fames, including Jacksonville High School, MacMurray College, and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.
- Jones spent 21 seasons at SIU and led the Salukis to 10 NCAA tournaments and three College World Series appearances in 1971, 1974, and 1977.
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