Don Jones Announced as New Head Football Coach
CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-416-2137 or 518-629-7898
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Wednesday, March 6, 2019
After a national search, Hudson Valley Community College Director of Athletics Justin Hoyt named Don Jones Jr. as the college's 11thhead coach of the Vikings football program. The Springfield, Mass. native comes to Hudson Valley Community College from Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he served as the program's co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Hoyt stated, "Coach Jones brings a championship mentality both on and off the field. He has a proven track record and brings a new dynamic to the program. His ability to develop our student-athletes from a holistic approach will change the culture of the program and lead us to new heights."
As the co-defensive coordinator at No. 13 Iowa Central, Jones guided the defense to a 94.7 defensive efficiency rating and led the nation with nine defensive touchdowns. Iowa Central's defense also ranked T-16thin the nation with 16 interceptions.
Jones previously served as the defensive backs coach at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa (2016-2018) and has been a member of three straight Graphic Edge Bowl Championships. Under the guidance of Coach Jones, Ellsworth produced 31 interceptions, surrendered only 180 yards per game and allowed opponents to a 50 percent completion percentage.
In 2015, Jones worked as the offensive quality control coach for Dartmouth College and was part of the 2015 Ivy League championship team. Jones also worked as the corner backs coach at Delaware State University for two seasons.
Prior to joining the Delaware State program, Jones was the defensive line coach at his alma mater, Westfield State University in Westfield, Mass., where he was a four-year running back from 2001-2005.
Coach Jones is a proven recruiter and talent evaluator with previous experience covering New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as Georgia, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Missouri.