Butch Jones to join Maryland football staff as tight ends coach, per report

Former Tennessee head coach and Alabama offensive analyst Butch Jones will reportedly join Mike Locksley’s staff at Maryland, according to InsideMdSports’ Jeff Ermann.

Jones is expected to serve as Maryland’s tight ends coach and associate head coach. The Terps have had four tight ends coaches in as many seasons, with Dave Bucar holding the position in 2018. Chris Beatty held the associate head coach title in addition to his duties as wide receivers coach.

At Tennessee, Jones went 34-27 across five seasons, but was fired in 2017 after a disappointing 4-8 campaign. He joined Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama in an analyst role, as the on-field coaching staff was already filled. Locksley joined the Crimson Tide under similar circumstances after not getting the Maryland head coaching job in 2015, then earned two promotions and ultimately won the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant this year. Jones’ stint in Tuscaloosa lasted just one season.

Jones’ other college head coaching experience includes stints at Central Michigan and Cincinnati, where he compiled a combined 77-50 record. His Tennessee stint included two top-10 recruiting classes. He also brings 14 years of assistant coaching experience with him as well, having coached every offensive position group except the linemen.

Because Jones reached a settlement with Tennessee upon his firing for $8.3 million paid through 2021—just under $2.1 million per year—his reported salary at Alabama was just $35,000, with Tennessee paying the rest of that money. Maryland will likely be giving him a raise from his analyst pay, but like offensive coordinator Matt Canada before him, Jones could be coming at somewhat of a discount.

Maryland hired Locksley nearly a week ago, and his focus this week will be on assembling a staff and building a recruiting class. Jones is the first hire to be reported, but several more should be coming soon.