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In a somewhat expected move, Joey Jones is out as the head coach of the South Alabama football program. Jones started the program from scratch and currently sits on a 52-49 overall record with a 18-28 mark in Sun Belt play. The Jags made two bowl appearances under Jones and were known for their ability to pull off big upsets.
However, inconsistency did Jones in as South Alabama seemed to come up with multiple letdown performances each season. In hindsight, Jones should be fondly remembered for starting the South Alabama football program, but this tenure will be remembered for what could have been.
This news broke on Monday afternoon and here’s what the world of Twitter had to say about it.
Head coach Joey Jones will resign at the end of his current contract. He will coach the Jags final game next week at New Mexico State. #JagNationhttps://t.co/TUOsERvEaY
— JagNation (@JagNationUSA) November 20, 2017
South Alabama football coach Joey Jones has submitted his resignation effective at the end of his current employment contract.
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) November 20, 2017
Jones will coach the Jaguars when they visit New Mexico State on Saturday, Dec. 2
With Joey Jones resigning at South Alabama, we add another update to the coaching carousel.
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) November 20, 2017
- 8 coaching changes
- 5 P5 vacancies
- 3 SEC vacancies
- 2 Pac-12 vacancieshttps://t.co/BddMROuFTJ pic.twitter.com/TjfvpInLoR
Under Joey Jones:
— Robby Baker (@RobbyBakerTV) November 20, 2017
3 players selected to participate at the NFL Scouting Combine
5 players invited to play in the Reese's Senior Bowl
6 alumni currently active in the NFL and Canadian Football League@WKRG
You're not going to find a better dude than Joey Jones. He built South Alabama from scratch and won some big games. The inexplicable losses got him though.
— Adam Hunsucker (@Adam_Hunsucker) November 20, 2017
This job may be the most underrated gig in the Sun Belt. Under Jones, the Jags were always able to pull in really good talent from the junior college ranks as well as being in a hotbed for recruiting. Mobile is a solid city and this program should be able to attract talent.
This is a gig where the South Alabama administration should be able to pull together a solid group of candidates. It will be essential for the next coach to be able to recruit Alabama, but with the speed the Jags usually can attract, a spread offense based on tempo may be the move.
Stay tuned as we now have two coaching searches to deal with in the Fun Belt.