Nine names have been suggested as potential candidates to replace Karl Scott as Alabama’s cornerbacks’ coach, including five names with ties to the University of Alabama.
Jason Jones is one of those names. He was a two-year starter in the secondary, where he appeared in three bowl games and helped the Crimson Tide capture a Southeastern Conference title in 1999. Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in financial planning in 2001 and a master’s degree in sports management in 2005. After being a graduate assistant for two years (2003 and 2004), he branched out to Tulsa, Rice, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Florida Atlantic, and Indiana and has been successful at each stop.
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At 43 years old, Jones has a wealth of experience with cornerbacks, safeties, and special teams.
He also served as a co-defensive coordinator during his time at Mississippi. When it comes to strictly cornerbacks, he has 13 years of experience at the position.
He tutored corners at Tulsa (2005, 2007), Rice (2006), Oklahoma State (2008-12), Ole Miss (2013-16), and Florida Atlantic (2019).
Jones coached a combined 113 interceptions and produced marquee names such as Justin Gilbert, Perris Cox, Brodrick Brown, Senquez Golson, Mike Hilton, Tony Bridges, Zedrick Woods, Ken Webster, and Meiko Dotson. He helped Tulsa to a pair of Conference USA championships in 2005 and 2007. Jones assisted Oklahoma State in sharing the Big 12 championship in 2010, but the Cowboys won the title outright in 2011.
That year, thirteen of Oklahoma State’s 24 interceptions came from its secondary.
During a 10-win season for Ole Miss in 2015, Jones had its defensive backfield recording 12 picks. He has mentored four Jim Thorpe Award semifinalists and one finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
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In his first season at Indiana, he helped the Hoosiers to a 6-2 record in 2020. It nearly pulled out an upset victory over Ohio State and Indiana’s secondary picked up 13 of its 17 interceptions. Jones has great energy with players and coaches and is strong on the recruiting trail too. Nick Saban needs someone that can continue to foster continuity on the coaching staff and Jones would fit.
He has not reached the point where he is ready to be a defensive coordinator or head coach.
With this being said, transitioning to Jones would be smooth if Alabama makes the hire.
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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
