Looks like the plane trip to Maryland for Butch Jones was good enough to get him a cup of coffee with Michael Locksley, because according to a report from ESPN, the 51-year-old has returned to the University of Alabama and is expected to be on the coaching staff for 2019.
Despite earlier reports that linked Jones to the Terrapins, he may become either an on-field coach or senior analyst for the Crimson Tide next season. Seeing how Lance Taylor, former Alabama standout and wide receivers’ coach for the Carolina Panthers, continues to be the main name in the conversation to replace Josh Gattis — Jones may take over as running backs’ coach.
Other rumors have floated on Joe Pannunzio possibly being moved to an off-field role.
Should Jones be positioned with the Tide’s backs, he does have prior experience at Ferris State (1995) and Central Michigan in 2000 and 2004. He recruited multiple talented rushers to the University of Tennessee as head coach, including the likes of Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara.
RELATED: Butch Jones to join Mike Locksley’s coaching staff at Maryland
If Taylor is called upon to coach running backs – seeing his experience with Heisman finalist, Christian McCaffrey at Stanford in 2015 – then look for Jones to work with wide receivers.
Like Taylor, Jones has experience with wide outs too.
He coached the position at Central Michigan (1999) and West Virginia from 2005-06, while producing an NFL superstar in Antonio Brown in 2009 as head coach of the Chippewas.
It will be interesting to see where Jones ends up on the roster.
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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.
