Build Leaders. Connect Teams. Impact Lives.
Keynote speaker and two-time national championship assistant coach Donnie Jones helps teams build trust, face adversity together, and turn shared purpose into daily action.
A MESSAGE BEYOND THE GAME.
Strong organizations depend on people who trust one another, communicate clearly, and take ownership of a shared purpose.
Donnie brings the human side of team building into the room, helping leaders connect the lessons of coaching to the challenges they face at work.
BRING DONNIE TO YOUR TEAM ↗Speaking at the FBC Power Players Summit
Photography: Cechman’s Photography & Videography
When a company is growing, a team is under pressure, or people are adjusting to change, leaders need a way to bring everyone together. Donnie draws on two national titles as a Florida assistant and the work of leading Stetson to its first NCAA Tournament to show what building trust and earning buy-in look like in practice.
Help people understand their roles, talk honestly about what’s getting in the way, and hold one another to a shared standard. Donnie brings lessons from developing players and leading coaching staffs to the everyday work of managing people.
Use The Ticket to talk through setbacks and choose a next step. Bring a reflection from Words That Lead into a staff meeting, team huddle, or mentoring conversation and agree on one action to try.
Tell Donnie what your people are facing, whether it’s a change in direction, friction between departments, or the challenge of keeping everyone aligned as you grow. He’ll connect stories from coaching to the decisions your leaders and teams make every day.
Build trust across roles, communicate clearly, and get people working toward the same goal.
Drawing on his book The Ticket, Donnie shares how leaders can respond to setbacks and help their teams take the next step.
Lessons from building college basketball programs on setting clear expectations and keeping people connected when the pressure rises.
Donnie Jones is a performance coach, keynote speaker, and author who helps people build confidence, strengthen relationships, and perform under pressure. Over four decades of coaching and speaking, Donnie has spoken to more than 200 teams and businesses.
As Stetson’s head men’s basketball coach, he led the Hatters to the 2024 ASUN championship and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance. He helped Florida win back-to-back national titles as an assistant to Billy Donovan.
Donnie has coached 23 players who went on to the NBA, including 10 first-round NBA draft picks. He also worked in the Los Angeles Clippers’ front office as a professional scout, evaluating talent to help build the team.
FCA honored Donnie with the 2026 John Lotz “Barnabas” Coaching Award. In The Ticket, he shares how to turn setbacks into opportunities to make a difference.
Through stories from the court and practical leadership tools, Donnie helps audiences communicate more clearly, take ownership of their roles, and serve the people around them.
Explore Donnie’s keynotes ↗Bring a shared message to your organization, then turn that message into daily action.
Keynotes for companies, coaches, and teams on responding to adversity, building trust, and using influence to impact others.
Discuss your event ↗Personal leadership conversations focused on self-awareness, communication, accountability, and the relationships that shape culture.
Explore coaching ↗Help your team clarify expectations, strengthen connection, and build a shared commitment to continuous improvement.
Start a conversation ↗Know your people. Earn their trust. Help them see the value they bring to the team.
Those everyday relationships give honest conversations, clear expectations, and shared accountability a stronger foundation.
Watch the promotional video for Donnie Jones’ book, The Ticket.
A story for coaches and leaders about responding to adversity, finding purpose in your journey, and using your influence to make a lasting difference in others.
Your next opportunity begins with how you respond today.
ORDER NOW · SIGNED COPY EXPLORE THE TICKET ON AMAZON ↗
Words can inspire you. Living them can change you. Donnie pairs 50 quotes with reflections, leadership and life lessons, and practical challenges. The goal is to help coaches, athletes, educators, parents, and team leaders turn ideas about courage, character, teamwork, and service into everyday habits.
Hear the announcers talk about Donnie Jones’s book during the Clemson–Stetson broadcast.
Paperback $25 · Hardback $30
Free shipping. Please allow 8–10 days for delivery.
“This Book is a Life & Game Changer!!”
From celebrating national titles at Florida to leading Stetson to its first NCAA Tournament, these are moments I shared with the players, coaches, and teams who made them possible.
View Donnie’s Coaching Résumé (PDF) ↗
Connection. Trust. Shared success. Explore a few of the messages that shape Donnie’s approach.
Turn the message of The Ticket into a daily commitment to grow. Join Donnie’s 30-day challenge on Teachable and make space each day to reflect, take ownership, and lead with purpose.
For coaches, business leaders, and anyone ready to turn opportunity into impact.
JOIN THE 30-DAY CHALLENGE ↗
Hear Donnie talk about faith, building trust, and what coaching has taught him about leading people.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes honored Donnie Jones for his commitment to Christ and for showing integrity and encouraging others through coaching.
Read FCA’s award announcement ↗Planning an event? Tell Donnie your date, audience, and what you’d like people to take away. You can also reach out about executive coaching or team development.