OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss has added a successful coach and recruiter to its football staff in co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach Jason Jones, as announced Wednesday by Rebel head coach Hugh Freeze.
Jones comes to Oxford after five seasons at Oklahoma State, where his teams amassed a 49-16 record. In his nine seasons as a college coach, his teams have made a bowl game appearance every year.
“Jason’s experience and energy makes him a perfect fit for our staff, and we’re excited to get him on campus and ready for spring practice,” Freeze said. “He has been a winner at every stop throughout his career, and he has a proven track record as a recruiter. I look forward to coaching alongside him as our team continues its journey.”
In his time in Stillwater, Jones coached three different Cowboy corners to first team All-Big 12 honors and a pair of Thorpe Award semifinalists in Perrish Cox (2009) and Brodrick Brown (2011). Cox was a first team All-American in 2009, as well.
With Jones serving as position coach, Cox led the nation in passes defended per game in 2009 and Brown ranked third in the same category in 2011. As a team, OSU led the nation with 44 turnovers forced in 2011 and was fifth with 34 in 2010.
Jones came to Stillwater from Tulsa, where he served as cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator in 2007. He helped the Golden Hurricane to a 10-4 record, an appearance in the Conference USA championship game, and a 63-7 win over Bowling Green in the 2008 GMAC Bowl.
He also had successful stints at Rice in 2006 and Tulsa in 2005. Jones began his college coaching career as a graduate assistant at Alabama in 2004.
Born Nov. 13, 1977, Jones is a 2001 graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in financial planning. He was a two-year starter at defensive back for the Crimson Tide and was part of three bowl teams, an SEC West championship in 1996 and SEC championship in 1999.
Jones earned a master’s degree from Alabama in sports management in 2005. He and his wife Kysha have three children, Andrew, Jace and Jarah.
Jones, who will have play-calling duties in the Rebels’ secondary, replaces previous co-defensive coordinator Wesley McGriff, who recently joined the New Orleans Saints coaching staff in the NFL.