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Former Tennessee football coach Butch Jones spent the past season as an offensive analyst for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide, but it now appears he is angling for a bigger position heading into the 2019 college football season. According to a report from The Spun, Jones is set to interview for a Big Ten assistant coaching position.
The report states Jones is meeting with Maryland head coach Mike Locksley on Monday, December 10 about a possible spot on his coaching staff.
Locksley, who was previously Alabama’s offensive coordinator, is reportedly interested in bringing his former Crimson Tide colleague with him to the Terrapins to oversee the offense and serve as offensive coordinator.
Jones, who holds an 84-54 overall record as a head coach, has previous head coaching stops at Central Michigan and Cincinnati before leading the Vols from 2013-2017. Jones has also served in assistant roles at Rutgers, Wilkes, and Ferris State.
During his time leading Central Michigan, Jones led the Chippewas to two MAC championships. He then led the Bearcats to two Big East titles, but never found that same success in Knoxville.
There are other reports that indicate Jones could also be interested in the Temple head coaching job.
From Philly.com:
A non-Temple source familiar with the situation said that Ohio State associate head coach/defensive coordinator Greg Schiano and Alabama co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Josh Gattis have expressed interest in the Owls job. A second source also said that Schiano has expressed interest, but he wasn’t aware of Gattis interest. Another name the second source said who has shown interest is former Cincinnati and Tennessee head coach Butch Jones, currently an analyst at Alabama.
So while Jones’ next stop may currently not be known, he appears poised to make the jump to a more prominent position for the 2019 season.
