The Delaware Blue Coats have hired Brad Jones as general manager, according to ESPN, putting him in charge of the Philadelphia 76ers‘ G League affiliate as it heads into the 2026-27 season.
Jones was selected for the job by 76ers president Mike Gansey and executive vice president of basketball operations Jameer Nelson, according to ESPN. The hire fills a vacancy left when former Blue Coats GM Ariana Andonian departed last month to run the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.
Why The Blue Coats Needed A New General Manager
Andonian’s exit to the Sparks created an immediate opening atop Delaware’s front office. The timing put pressure on Philadelphia’s basketball operations staff to find a replacement before the Blue Coats’ season opener, and Gansey and Nelson landed on Jones to take over.
Jones’ Path To The Job
Jones got his start with the Orlando Magic during Nelson’s playing days there, according to ESPN. He began as an intern with the organization and worked his way up through the video and personnel staff, a climb that eventually connected him with Nelson again as the two now join forces in Philadelphia’s organization.
That shared history with Nelson, who now oversees basketball operations decisions for the 76ers organization, factored into Jones landing the Blue Coats post.
What The Blue Coats Are Building On
Delaware finished last season 18-18, a mark that puts the team squarely in the middle of the G League pack. Jones now inherits a roster and organizational structure tied directly to the 76ers’ player development pipeline, a role that typically includes managing assignments, call-ups and the two-way players who shuttle between Philadelphia and Delaware.
What’s Next
The Blue Coats open their 2026-27 G League season on Nov. 6 at home against the Capital City Go-Go. That game will mark Jones’ first regular-season contest running Delaware’s front office.
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