SENATOBIA – The first hire by first-year head football coach
Jack Wright is a familiar one, as offensive line coach
Jim Jones will return to Northwest after a one-year hiatus.
Jones spent last season as the offensive line coach at Pearl River on William Jones' staff.
"Jim's background speaks for itself," Wright said. "The product he put on the field his first stint at Northwest allowed for a lot of success offensively. I couldn't be happier about his return, and we're excited to see what we can do in his first season back."
Jones' offensive line helped pave the way for the nation's 3rd-ranked offense in 2012 (434.1 ypg), 5th-ranked offense (485.4 ypg) in 2011 and 10th-ranked total offense (413.6 ypg) in 2010.
The Rangers averaged 198.5 yards on the ground in those three years, rushed for 200 or more in 15 games and eclipsed 500 yards of total offense 11 times. Northwest exploded for a season-high 439 yards rushing in a 66-41 win over Holmes in 2011, the third-most rushing yards in single-game school history.
Backed by a pair of first team all-state selections and NJCAA First Team All-American Donald Hawkins, the offensive line allowed just four sacks in 2011 in 648 plays from the line of scrimmage and 11 in 709 plays during the 2012 season behind NJCAA Second Team All-American
Austin Douglas.
All told, Jones' work with the offensive line has seen seven players go on to play FBS or FCS football.
Jones came to Northwest from Lake Forest College (Illinois) where he served as offensive line/tight ends coach, run-game coordinator and athletic recruiter during the 2009 season.
Prior to Lake Forest, Jones spent two seasons as a graduate assistant with the offensive line at the University of Virginia where the Cavaliers were 14-11 during his two seasons and appeared in the Gator Bowl following the 2007 season. After giving up 33 sacks in 2007 (2.54 sacks/game), the Cavaliers improved significantly by giving up just 16 during the 2008 season (1.33 sacks/game).
Jones played his college ball at Notre Dame from 1996-2000, playing in 24 career games (21 starts) and being recruited by legendary head coach Lou Holtz. He started at left guard his final two seasons for head coach Bob Davie after playing just three games combined over his first three seasons. He played a key role in helping the Fighting Irish rank 14th nationally in rushing and 17th in passing efficiency during the 2000 season. He was an All-Independent selection by Collegefootballnews.com at seasons' end and was selected to play in the Rotary Gridiron Classic All-Star game in Orlando. Jones received his degree in sociology in 2000.
He went on to play in the NFL for six seasons, spending time with the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins and world champion Pittsburgh Steelers from the 2001-06 seasons.
A native of Chicago, Jones was also a three-year letterman on the offensive and defensive lines at Richards High School. He was a First Team All-State pick on both offense and defense by the Chicago Tribune, ChicagoSun-Times and Champaign News-Gazette and named to the Super 25 All-Area Team.
