In a major development for the University of Alabama football program, head coach Kalen DeBoer announced the hiring of Jason Jones as the new assistant defensive backs coach for the Crimson Tide. This marks a significant return for Jones, who spent his early coaching years at Alabama.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to add Coach Jones to our staff,” said DeBoer. “He has a proven track record of success with defensive backs, and I know he will be able to make a significant impact on that group along with our defense as a whole. It is also great to be able to add a guy who played and coached here, and his knowledge of this University is invaluable.”
With over 20 years of experience in coaching, Jones has specialized in coaching defensive backs throughout his career, in addition to six years as a defensive coordinator. He has coached numerous standout players, including nine first-team all-conference honorees, 20 total all-conference selections, four Jim Thorpe Award semifinalists, and one Nagurski Trophy finalist. Furthermore, he has contributed to five conference championship teams and participated in 16 bowl games.
“The University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa are special places to me,” shared Jones. “My coaching career started here as a graduate assistant, and to be able to come home and coach at your alma mater is truly a blessing. I am so thankful to Coach DeBoer for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this great staff, and I am excited to be back. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Jones, who earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Alabama, returns to Tuscaloosa after spending two seasons as cornerbacks coach at North Carolina. There, in 2024, he played a crucial role in helping cornerback Alijah Huzzie earn all-conference honors for a second consecutive season, contributing to the Tar Heels’ strong defensive performance, including 12 interceptions in 2023—the team’s highest total since 2019.
Before his tenure at UNC, Jones spent three years as safeties coach at Indiana, after a season coaching cornerbacks at Florida Atlantic University in 2019. At FAU, he helped develop cornerback Meiko Dotson, who earned first-team all-conference honors and led the nation in interceptions with nine. Under his guidance, the FAU defense finished the season ranked number one in the nation with 33 takeaways, leading to both a Conference USA title and a Boca Raton Bowl victory.
From 2013 to 2018, Jones served as co-defensive coordinator at Ole Miss, focusing on the secondary. His 2015 defense stood out, tying a school record with four pick-sixes and finishing second in the SEC with 15 interceptions. In 2014, he was honored as the National Defensive Backs Coach of the Year by FootballScoop.com, after transforming an inexperienced group into one of the most dominant in the nation. That season, Ole Miss led the nation in scoring defense and fewest touchdowns allowed, thanks in part to the stellar play of Senquez Golson, a consensus first-team All-American who led the SEC with 10 interceptions.
Before his time at Ole Miss, Jones spent five years at Oklahoma State, where his work with the defensive backs helped the Cowboys rank second in the nation for turnovers forced from 2009 to 2012. During his time there, Jones helped develop Justin Gilbert, who would go on to become the eighth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Jones’ coaching journey began at Alabama, where he served as a graduate assistant from 2003 to 2004. He was a three-year letterman at defensive back for the Crimson Tide, playing in three bowl games, contributing to an SEC West title in 1996, and being part of the SEC Championship team in 1999.
In addition to his career accomplishments, Jones is deeply connected to Tuscaloosa. He and his wife, Kysha, have four children: Andrew, Jace, Jarah, and Jathan.
The financial terms of Jones’ appointment are still subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees.
