He has gone from being the butt of every joke to becoming appreciated by Alabama football fans.
Lyle “Butch” Jones is in his third season as an offensive analyst/off-field coach on Nick Saban’s staff. He joined the Crimson Tide in 2018, after five years (2013-17) of head coaching at the University of Tennessee. Jones compiled an overall record of 34-27, including a pair of 9-win seasons in 2015 and 2016. Although he recruited well, he could not beat Alabama or consistently win marquee games for the Volunteers.
As an analyst, he has been on the winning side of three straight games versus Tennessee.
The coaches and players are happy with him, and he seems to be very pleased to be at Alabama.
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In going after his third consecutive victory cigar, Saban spoke on Jones’ impact with the Tide during Wednesday’s teleconference from the Southeastern Conference. Saban said he ‘really likes’ Jones being a part of the staff.
“He does a lot of things for me personally as a special assistant in terms of evaluating certain things on practice film and evaluating a lot of organizational things internally here. He’s done a really good job for me,” Saban said of Jones. “He’s done a really good job.”
Jones, 52, typically sits in the meeting rooms of each positional unit. He takes down data and presents different tendencies and information in the coaches’ meeting. He studies film, cuts up game tape and manipulates a system where the Tide’s offense can attack an opposing defense.
During practices, Jones is around the running backs yet he does see everyone on the field. After being on an SEC Championship team in 2018, there were other programs interested in Jones.
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Rutgers and Maryland were two schools high on him, but he decided to remain with Saban.
It is crazy to think about this, but Jones has been the biggest piece of continuity on Alabama’s coaching staff. Since his arrival in 2018, the Tide has lost Scott Cochran, Michael Locksley, Dan Enos, Josh Gattis, Craig Kuligowski, Brent Key, Joe Pannunzio, Tosh Lupoi and Brian Baker.
Saban will not speak on anything regarding Jones’ plans professionally, but he is serving a purpose at Alabama.
“We’re happy to have him here,” Saban said of Jones. “He seems to be pleased to be here. We’re excited to have him be a part of our staff. But, I think you’d have to ask him why he chooses to do what he does professionally.”
Jones looks for a third win against his former school on Saturday.
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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.
