Dale Jones

With all the talk of coaching changes on the Tennessee football staff, it’s no surprise that former Vol Dale Jones has been a hot topic of conversation this week after he was in town for the Vols basketball game against UNC Asheville on Wednesday night. Currently, Tennessee doesn’t have any coaching vacancies on the defensive side of the ball but that has not stopped the speculation about the purpose of Jones visit to Knoxville.

Many on VolNation, have expressed their concern that since he played for Coach Majors, Dale wouldn’t have any interest in returning to Tennessee under Phil Fulmer. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case according to an interview yesterday on the Sports Animal.

“There’s no question” Jones said. “If I had an opportunity, naturally I would come back here and coach. Who wouldn’t? That’s one of those situations that’s a no-brainer.”

Furthermore, he doesn’t believe the Vols will have any trouble filling the empty slots on the coaching staff. “I think there is no question that this is one of the best places in the country to come coach”, Jones said.

Dale is currently the linebackers coach for Appalachian State where he has been for 12 seasons and has won three straight championships. Below is his bio from the Appy State website:

Dale Jones, Linebackers
Alma Mater: Tennessee, 1988
Years at ASU: 12th

COACHING EXPERIENCE
1989: Tennessee (Defensive Assistant)
1990: Parma Panthers (Defensive Coordinator)
1991: Florida (Defensive Assistant)
1992-95: Georgia Military (Linebackers and Def. Backs)
1991-95: Georgia Military (Defensive Coordinator)
1996-2004: Appalachian State (Defensive Line/Special Teams)
2005-pres.: Appalachian State (Linebackers)

COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
•Mentored a pair of his linebackers — Monte Smith and Pierre Banks — to all-Southern Conference recognition in 2006.
•Named 2002 Special Teams Coordinator of the Year by American Football Monthly.
•As ASU’s defensive line coach, helped Mountaineers earn SoCon Defensive Player of the Year awards in back-to-back seasons (Josh Jeffries, 2002 and K.T. Stovall, 2003).
•As Mountaineers’ special teams coordinator, led the top punt and punt return units in the SoCon in 2003.
•Coached two-time consensus All-American Josh Jeffries to the program’s career quarterback sacks records.
•In last season with defensive linemen, mentored Marques Murrell to 2004 SoCon sacks title.
•In 2001, coached one of the best defensive lines in the nation, with two Mountaineers receiving All-America plaudits.
•Instructed six defensive linemen to all-America honors and 15 to all-Southern Conference recognition as Apps’ d-line coach.
•Coached eight defensive linemen that have moved on to the NFL.

PLAYING EXPERIENCE: TENNESSEE (1983-86)
• Four-year starter at outside linebacker for the Volunteers.
• Named to Tennessee’s All-Time Football Team for the program’s 100 years of intercollegiate football in 1990.
• Earned All-SEC honors in 1985 and ‘86.
• Honored as a Playboy All-American as a senior.
• Tabbed the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Lineman of the Year by the Atlanta Touchdown Club in 1986

Dale Jones played linebacker for the Vols from 1983 until 1986, starting all four years and earning All-SEC honors in both 1985 and 1986. He was later named to Tennessee’s All-Time Football team in 1990. I think most notably, Jones is remembered for his acrobatic interception in the backfield against Alabama.

You can discuss Dale Jones here in our Tennessee Vols Forum.