He could not get Josh Gattis to leave the University of Alabama and join him as his offensive coordinator at Maryland; however, Michael Locksley is taking a Tide staffer with him.
Butch Jones, who served as an offensive analyst this season, has reportedly accepted a position as tight ends coach and associated head coach for the Terrapins. News came via Jeff Ermann of Inside Maryland Sports on Monday, as Locksley continues to put his staff together.
He plans on heading to the Big Ten football program after helping the Crimson Tide through the College Football Playoff. While his roots are strong at Central Michigan and Cincinnati, Jones’ first taste of head coach experience at a major school was at Tennessee from 2013 to 2017.
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During his five seasons with the Volunteers, he guided the institution to nine wins in 2015 and 2016.
Jones was an elite recruiter in 2014 and 2015, bringing Tennessee two top-10 ranked signing classes. Regardless of his success, his inability to capitalize led to the Vols firing him prior to the end of the 2017 season. He posted a 34-27 record as a head coach for the school and received a hefty $8.3 million buyout, which is why he was getting paid $35,000 at Alabama.
The 50-year-old won two conference championships each at both Central Michigan (2007, 2009) and Cincinnati (2011, 2012) before being hired to Tennessee. Hopefully, the time he spent under Saban behind the scenes has prepared him to venture back out as a coach and pursue success.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
