Derek Jones
Blacksburg
Summary
Experienced and versatile assistant football coach with excellent analytical and organizational skills. Adept at managing tasks with special attention to details. Outstanding communication and motivational skills both on and off the field. Establish good relationships with players and their families. Great at encouraging players and students to always push for the greatest achievement.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Coach Cornerbacks
Virginia Tech University
12.2021 - Current
- In 2022, true freshman Cornerback Mansoor Delane was named to the 247 Sports and College Football News All-American team.
- In 2023, Virginia Tech had the #1 pass defense in the ACC and the #4 pass defense in the FBS.
- In 2023, Virginia Tech ranked #2 in the ACC in total defense and #20 in the FBS in total defense.
- In 2023, Cornerback Dorian Strong had one of the best statistical seasons in Virginia Tech history.
- In 2023, Cornerback Dorian Strong allowed only 9 receptions for 83 total yards. He allowed only 2.4 yds per coverage target and had a completion percentage allowed of only 25.7 on the season. All 4 statistics led all FBS cornerbacks.
- In 2023, Cornerback Dorian Strong had 3 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, and 11 total passes defended.
- In 2023, Cornerback Dorian Strong allowed zero deep balls or touchdowns on the season.
- In 2023, Cornerback Dorian Strong was named 2nd team All-American and 3rd team All-ACC.
- In 2024, Cornerback Mansoor Delane earned 3rd team All-ACC honors with 4 interceptions, 11 passes defended, 2 force fumbles, and 54 tackles.
- In 2024, Cornerback Dorian Strong had 2 interceptions, 6 pass breakups, and 8 passes defended on the season. He was named honorable mention All-ACC and invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine.
- In the 2025 NFL Draft, Cornerback Dorian Strong was drafted in the 6th round by the Buffalo Bills and earned the starting cornerback job for the season opener.
- In 2025, starting Cornerbacks Thomas Williams and Isaiah Brown–Murray combined for 12 passes defended and only surrendered 4 passing touchdowns on the season.
- In 2025, 3 year pupil and LSU transfer Mansoor Delane is named a Thorpe Award Finalist.
Associate Head Coach/ Co-Defensive Coordinator
Texas Tech University
02.2020 - 12.2021
- In 2020, the Texas Tech defense improved to 5th in the Big XII total yards per game after finishing 10th in the 2019 season.
- The defense improved to 5th in the Big XII yards per play after finishing 10th in the 2019 season.
- The passing yards per game allowed improved from 10th in the Big XII during the 2019 season to 4th in the 2020 season.
- The passing yards per attempt improved from 10th in the 2019 season in the Big XII to 2nd in the 2020 season.
- In 2020, Cornerback Zech McPhearson earned First Team All-Big XII honors and Cornerback Demarcus Fields earned Honorable Mention All-Big XII honors.
- NFL Draft 2021, Cornerback Zech McPhearson was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 4th Round. He was the first Texas Tech cornerback drafted since 2009.
- In 2021, Cornerback Demarcus Fields earned Second Team All-Big XII honors and Cornerback Rashad Williams earned Honorable Mention All-Big XII honors.
- In December 2021, Texas Tech defeated Mississippi State for the first bowl victory since 2013.
Assistant Coach Defensive Backs
Duke University
01.2008 - 02.2020
- In 2008, Duke Blue Devil’s total defense was ranked #60 nationally at 356 yards per game, which was an improvement from the 2007 season ranking at #92 nationally at 424 yards per game.
- In 2009, Duke won 5 games including 3 ACC wins which was Duke’s highest win total since 1994.
- In 2009, Cornerback Leon Wright was chosen Honorable Mention All-ACC and finished 5th in the ACC with 5 interceptions and was also named National Defensive Player of the week against Army with back-to-back interception returns for touchdowns and a fumble recovery, which set a national record.
- In 2010, Cornerback Ross Cockrell was named Freshman All-American, in 2011 he was named Academic All-ACC, and in 2012 Cockrell was a First Team All-ACC selection and tied for the ACC lead in interceptions with 5 and finished 3rd in pass break ups with 12.
- After 2012 regular season, the Duke Blue Devils finished 6-6 to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1994.
- In 2013, Duke won 10 games for the first time in school history and won their first ACC Coastal division title.
- In 2013, Cornerback Ross Cockrell was named First Team All-ACC for the 2nd consecutive year, Academic All-ACC for the 4th consecutive year, and drafted in the 4th Round by the Buffalo Bills becoming Duke’s highest drafted player since 1998.
- In 2013, Safety Jeremy Cash was named First Team All-ACC and Second Team All-American by USA Today.
- In 2013, Cornerback/Safety Devon Edwards was named Second Team All-American as a kick returner by Walter Camp and was runner up for the ACC Freshman Defensive Player of the Year.
- In 2013, the Duke’s Defensive Backs achieved a cumulative GPA of over a 3.0 for the tenth consecutive semester.
- In 2014, Duke followed with a 9 win season and a bowl berth to the Sun Bowl.
- In 2015, Duke ended the season with 8 wins and the first bowl victory in 53 years in the Pinstripe Bowl.
- In 2015, ranked by 247 Sports as the Most Prolific Recruiter in the country.
- In 2016, Cornerback Breon Borders earned All-ACC honors and led the ACC in passes broken up per game (1.30), which ranked 16th nationally. After the season, Borders signed an NFL free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders.
- In 2017, the Duke defense finished 3rd in the ACC in scoring defense and 4th in total defense. The Blue Devils allowed just 20.23 points per game marking the program’s lowest total since 1977. The Blue Devils defeated Northern Illinois in the Quick Lane Bowl for their 2nd bowl win in 55 years.
- In 2017, Cornerback Brian Fields set a Duke program record with 4 interception returns for touchdowns in a career.
- In 2017, Cornerback Mark Gilbert was named First Team All-ACC. He led the ACC and tied 3rd nationally in passes defended per game (1.62) while his 21 passes defended established a new Duke single season record.
- In 2018, was promoted to Associate Head Coach.
- In 2018, Duke finished the season 8-5 and defeated Temple for their 3rd bowl victory in 56 years.
- In 2019, Duke ranked 3rd in the ACC in pass defense giving up only 199 passing yards per game.
- Recruiting experience in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Alabama, Virginia, Texas, and Oklahoma.
Assistant Coach Cornerbacks
The University of Memphis
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Helped to improve University of Memphis from a 2-10 record in 2006 to a 7-6 record in 2007 along with a New Orleans bowl berth.
- Finished 5th in Conference USA in pass defense for the 2007 season. Memphis was ranked 12th the previous season in that category.
- Cornerback Lakeitharun Ford only gave up one touchdown during the 2007 season and was named Co-MVP of the squad after posting 45 tackles and 2 interceptions.
- Monitored other college teams to prepare tactical strategies.
- Recruiting experience in Memphis, TN and the state of Mississippi.
Assistant Coach Cornerbacks
The University of Tulsa
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Finished 1st in Conference USA in both pass defense and total defense for the 2006 season.
- Ranked 11th nationally in pass defense and 21st nationally in total defense for the 2006 season.
- Cornerback Nick Graham was named Second Team All-Conference USA.
- Recruiting experience in Houston & Ft. Worth TX, Memphis TN, and the state of Mississippi.
Assistant Coach Cornerbacks
Middle Tennessee State University
02.2005 - 12.2005
- Finished 1st in the Sunbelt Conference and 18th nationally in scoring defense giving up 18.7 points per game for the 2005 season. Previous season MTSU ranked 68th nationally.
- Finished 2nd in the Sunbelt Conference and 29th nationally in total defense yielding 333.5 ypg. MTSU was ranked 86th nationally the previous season in that category.
- Finished 2nd in the Sunbelt Conference and 32nd nationally in pass efficiency defense for the 2005 season yielding 116.1 ypg. MTSU was ranked 112th nationally the previous season in that category.
- Finished 34th nationally in pass defense for the 2005 season. MTSU was ranked 112th the previous season in that category.
- Left cornerback Bradley Robinson tied for 1st in the Sunbelt Conference and ranked 5th nationally with 5 interceptions during the 2005 season.
- MTSU was 1st in the Sunbelt Conference and ranked in the top 25 nationally in each category above before the staff was dismissed after game 9.
- Recruiting experience in Mississippi, and Atlanta, Macon, Savannah, & Augusta GA.
Assistant Coach Cornerbacks/ Recruiting Coordinator
Murray State University
02.2000 - 02.2005
- In the Ohio Valley Conference, we finished 2nd in pass defense for the 2002 season, 1st in pass defense (4th nationally) for the 2003 season, and 2nd in pass defense for the 2004 season.
- In 2004, we finished 1st in both total defense and pass defense efficiency in the Ohio Valley Conference and 11th nationally in total defense and 15th nationally in pass defense efficiency.
- In 2003, starting cornerbacks, Michael Hanley and Laroni Gallishaw, both received All-Conference recognitions.
- In 2004, starting cornerback Laroni Gallishaw again received All-Conference recognitions while cornerback Onsha Whitaker led the Ohio Valley Conference in pass interceptions with 7 and finished 2nd in the Ohio Valley Conference in pass breakups with 14.
- Recruiting experience in Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
- Handled and coordinated all recruiting duties for the staff.
Defensive Graduate Assistant
University of Mississippi
08.1999 - 01.2000
- Operated the offensive scout team.
- Responsible for defensive film breakdowns.
- Assisted in the coaching of the secondary.
Graduate Assistant for Football Operations and Recruiting
University of Mississippi
12.1998 - 08.1999
- Assistant Coordinator for official visit weekends.
- Assisted in daily operations of the football program.
- In charge of recruiting female hostesses for home games and official visit weekends.
- Monitored study hall for football players.
- Monitored progress of players in academic trouble.
Education
Bachelor of Public Administration - Criminal Justice, Sociology
University of Mississippi
Oxford, MS05.1996
Masters of Science - Leadership Psychology
University of Mississippi
Oxford, MS01.1999
Skills
- Very experienced with twenty-six years of experience coaching at the collegiate level
- Dedicated to developing strong positional players
- Assist in the creation of weekly scouting reports, running defensive backs meetings, and designing defensive schemes for upcoming opponents
- Expert in imposing and maintaining discipline
- Teach fundamentals of not only football but cultivate values associated with good play gamesmanship and pushing past obstacles
- Instrumental in teaching life skills so players can be prepared for life outside of football
Timeline
Assistant Coach Cornerbacks
Virginia Tech University
12.2021 - Current
Associate Head Coach/ Co-Defensive Coordinator
Texas Tech University
02.2020 - 12.2021
Assistant Coach Defensive Backs
Duke University
01.2008 - 02.2020
Assistant Coach Cornerbacks
The University of Memphis
01.2007 - 01.2008
Assistant Coach Cornerbacks
The University of Tulsa
01.2006 - 01.2007
Assistant Coach Cornerbacks
Middle Tennessee State University
02.2005 - 12.2005
Assistant Coach Cornerbacks/ Recruiting Coordinator
Murray State University
02.2000 - 02.2005
Defensive Graduate Assistant
University of Mississippi
08.1999 - 01.2000
Graduate Assistant for Football Operations and Recruiting
University of Mississippi
12.1998 - 08.1999
Masters of Science - Leadership Psychology
University of Mississippi
Bachelor of Public Administration - Criminal Justice, Sociology
University of Mississippi
College Awards and Accomplishments
- Recipient of 1996 Chucky Mullins Courage Award
- University of Mississippi Football Team Captain for 1995 and 1996 seasons
- Leadership Award for the 1996 University of Mississippi Football Team
- 2nd Team All-SEC Football Honors in 1995 and 1996
- All-SEC Track in 1996 and 1997
- National Qualifier in the 4x400 Meter Relay
- Fraternity Scholar in 1994, 1995, and 1996