Walden Adds Chris Jones as Defensive Line Coach

12/16/2023 9:49:00 AM

EL PASO – UTEP Football Head Coach Scotty Walden announced the hiring of Chris Jones, the Miners' new defensive line coach on Saturday.

Jones comes to the Sun City with Walden after serving as Austin Peay's co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach the previous three seasons (2021-23).

"Chris Jones is a flat-out winner. He was inducted into the hall of fame at his alma mater Brownwood HS and Hardin Simmons University," Walden said. "He has been associated with stout defenses his entire career. He guided our defense at Austin Peay to be one of the toughest in the country to run the ball against. I am excited to have Chris and his beautiful family here in El Paso!"

In 2023, Austin Peay went 9-3 overall, while the Governors finished 6-0 in United Athletic Conference action and claimed a UAC Championship. Austin Peay's total defense ranked third in the UAC (396.0 yards allowed per game). APU rated third in the UAC and 42^nd in FCS in scoring defense (24.4). The Governors were first in the UAC and 12^th in FCS with a trio of defensive touchdowns. APU's defense forced 16 turnovers, while it ranked third in UAC and 29^th in FCS with 11 interceptions. Redshirt junior J'Vian McCray led the defense with 3.5 sacks, while the 6-foot, 327-pound defensive lineman added 24 tackles (eight solo), 5.0 TFLs, three breakups and a pair of QB hurries. Defensive linemen redshirt freshman Travis Bates (3.0 sacks) and graduate student Jau'Von Young (2.5 sacks) ranked second and third on the team in sacks, respectively.

During the 2022 season, the Austin Peay rush defense ranked 29^th in the FCS and second in the ASUN Conference, allowing 128.5 yards per game. The Governors' defense led the ASUN and was tied for 16^th in FCS with only 12 rushing scores allowed. In nine FCS games, the Governors' run defense held five opponents under 100 yards rushing, including only a 34-yard day for Murray State – the fewest rushing yards allowed during the Walden Era. The Governors ranked first in the ASUN in total defense (317.2 ypg), scoring defense (22.2 ppg) and third-down conversion defense (.308). Those marks ranked 12^th, 32^nd and third, respectively in the FCS. Defensive lineman Kwame Sutton led the Governors' defensive with 4.5 sacks. Ranked eighth in the ASUN in tackles for loss (7.5) and sixth in sacks.

Jones served as Texas A&M-Kingsville's co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach during the spring 2021 season in which the Javelinas played just two games and averaged 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks per contest.

Prior his stops in Kingsville, Texas, and Clarksville, Tenn., Jones spent 10 seasons at his alma mater Hardin-Simmons (2010-20). During his time on the sideline, the Cowboys saw 16 All-ASC honorees from the defensive line under Jones, including the 2010 ASC Defensive Player of the Year in Hank Hornsby and a 2012 Second Team D3Football.com All-American in Undra Hendrix. Hendrix also set a program record with 11.0 sacks and was named ASC Defensive Lineman of the Year for his efforts.

Prior to his time at HSU, Jones was a graduate assistant coach at Sam Houston from 2008 through 2009 and spent two years at Hardin-Simmons from 2006 through 2007 in the same capacity.

His playing career spanned four years for the Cowboys from 2003-06 where he played in 41 straight games, finished his career with nine sacks and 126 tackles, including 22.5 for loss, and was a second team D3Football.com All-American following the 2006 season.

Jones graduated from Hardin-Simmons with his Bachelor of Behavioral Science in 2008 and finished his Master of Science in kinesiology, sport, and recreation in 2018.

JONES'S COACHING CAREER
2021-23 – Austin Peay (co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach)
2020-21 – Texas A&M-Kingsville (co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach)
2010-20 – Hardin-Simmons (defensive line coach)
2008-10 – Sam Houston (graduate assistant – defense)

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