Nick Jones - Football Coach - Colorado State Athletics

Nick Jones

Title:
Co-Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends
Email:
Nicholas.M.Jones@colostate.edu
Phone:
(970) 491-6131

Nick Jones joined the Rams' coaching staff in February 2019 as co-special teams coordinator and tight ends coach.

Jones, who spent the 2018 season as tight ends coach at Air Force, brought nine years of collegiate coaching experience to his new position at CSU, including a significant portion of his career leading special teams units that ranked among the best in the country. During his six-year stint at Coastal Carolina, he directed the Chanticleers' significant success on special teams, including a No. 1 FCS ranking in punt coverage in 2015, with just one punt returned for no gain.

A four-year letterman at Georgia (2003-06), Jones, began his coaching career in 2010 at his alma mater, serving two years as an offensive graduate assistant while Mike Bobo was the Bulldogs' offensive coordinator. Jones will oversee the Rams' punt and kickoff units.

Jones was hired at Coastal Carolina in 2012 to coach tight ends and tackles, and oversee the PAT/FG units as well as the punt coverage unit. In 2012, he helped left tackle Chad Hamilton earn second-team all-conference honors while bookend Drew Herring had a breakout season holding down the right tackle spot. In addition, despite limited playing time due to multiple injuries, tight end David Duran was tabbed second-team All-Big South. In 2013 both Hamilton and Herring were named first-team All-Big South while tight end Thomas Pauciello hauled in three touchdown receptions. Hamilton capped his career at Coastal by earning first-team All-America honors and signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears.

Also in 2014, Coastal Carolina tight ends Pauciello and Craig Weick combined to haul in 22 passes for 288 yards and three scores despite missing considerable playing time because of injury, and senior Cody Craig was voted Academic All-Big South. In 2015, Jones oversaw the most successful special team unit in the nation, with the punt coverage unit ranked No. 1 in the NCAA FCS as opponents only attempted to return one punt for zero yards.

Jones helped Coastal have one of its best seasons rushing the ball in school history during the 2016 campaign as the Chants topped 200 yards in 11 of their 12 games, including three games with at least 300. He guided Voghens Larrieux to All-America honors, playing both left and right tackle, while running back De'Angelo Henderson earned his second All-America honor, was a national offensive Player of the Year finalist for a second time and was drafted by the Denver Broncos.

During his playing career at Georgia, Jones was a second team All-SEC selection at center as a senior and was elected as the permanent co-captain of the 2006 squad, in addition to earning offensive MVP and the Coaches Leadership Award. He also was the 2006 recipient of the Leon Farmer Strength and Conditioning Award and was chosen for the Academic Roundtable for excellence in the classroom and on the field.

A native of Bowdon, Ga., Jones started 32 consecutive games for the Bulldogs and was part of a senior class that compiled a 40-12 four-year record, 3-1 bowl record, played in two SEC championship games and won the 2005 SEC title. Following his senior season he was selected to play in the prestigious Hula Bowl All-Star Game and signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks in 2007. He spent parts of two seasons with the Seahawks, New York Giants and Detroit Lions organizations.

A 2006 graduate in risk management and insurance, Jones was named the team's Most Valuable Offensive Player as a senior and was recipient of the Leon Farmer Strength and Conditioning Award.

In 2010, his first year assisting the UGA coaching staff with Coach Bobo, Jones was responsible for preparing the defensive scout team, simulating the upcoming opponent's defense and helping Georgia win the Southeastern Conference East Division.

He is married to the former Katie Hammonds. The couple have a son, Deuce.