He has been an imposing figure on the sidelines at the WFCU Centre for a while, but the head coach of the Windsor Express says he battles mental illness.
Express head coach Bill Jones shared his story of anxiety and depression Wednesday evening, as the keynote speaker for the 48th annual general meeting of the Canadian Mental Health Association of Windsor Essex County at Ambassador Golf Club. The talk was part of the CMHA's observance of Suicide Prevention Month.
Jones, 53, has been the head coach of the Express since its inception, as well as the team's director of basketball operations. This comes after a long, varied career in college hoops followed by the NBA's New Jersey [now Brooklyn] Nets and professional basketball in Europe. He said anxiety is a big part of basketball and it was always the case for as long as he's been in the game.
"It's very prevalent," said Jones. "Obviously with the stress with everything going on in your day-to-day life, with your family, and being able to deal with job security and being able to deal with teammates, anxiety is probably out there more than you know. But you have to be a strong individual to stand up in front of people and say 'You know what? I struggle. I have anxiety, and I have problems.' That's what I've done."
Speaking to a room filled with mental health advocates, along with his colleagues from the Express, Jones talked candidly about beginning to experience symptoms while playing college basketball at the University of Iowa. While going back and forth professionally between the Nets and the Continental Basketball Association, things got so bad for Jones that his mother travelled from Detroit to be with him.
Jones was able to control his symptoms throughout the rest of his playing career and then coaching. Everything flooded back for him this past season when there was a period when he had trouble being there for his players.
He talked about how at one point, he was travelling with the Express this past winter when his symptoms became unbearable. At one point, he ended up lying in a dark room in the fetal position. It was at that point he realized he needed to come through and tackle his anxiety head-on.
"It was about two months where it was a struggle to get out of bed, not worrying about the outside world, not worrying about anything. Just staying in a cocoon," said Jones. "Now, I feel strong. I feel able to be able to function."
Jones is using his battles with anxiety in a proactive manner with his team. He has pledged to bring mental health professionals in periodically to help players, coaches and staff handle any issues.
"You know, at the end of the day, if I'm able to help one person, then I've done my job," said Jones. "A psalm for me that I say, 'When I've been blessed, I like to pass it on,' so to be able to pass on my struggles and tell my story and be able to help someone, is what I'm all about."
Windsor Express owner and CEO Dartis Willis listens as head coach Bill Jones discusses mental health at the annual general meeting for the CMHA Windsor Essex County, Ambassador Golf Club, LaSalle, September 25, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.