NJCAA Region 3 Champions: 2019, 2021, 2022

First Season at HVCC: 2019-2002
Enters 5^th season in 2023-24
Career Record: 15-12

Don Jones enters his fifth season as the head coach of the Vikings football program. Coach Jones was hired on March 1, 2019 as the 11th head coach in the 50-year history at Hudson Valley football. Since he arrived at the Valley, Coach Jones has guided the Vikings to three straight NJCAA Region 3 Championships – in 2019, 2021 and 2022 – and has not posted a losing season over his tenure with the Vikings, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in over a decade at Hudson Valley.

In 2022, Coach Jones built a winning season with a 6-4 record behind an offense that averaged nearly 300 yards per game and scored 24.6 points per game. The team secured the Region 3 title for the third consecutive season after defeating Erie Community College, 35-13, on Oct. 22.

In his first season as head coach in 2019, Coach Jones led the program to a 5-4 record with key wins over Region 3 rival Erie Community College and claimed the NJCAA Region 3 championship for the first time since 2015. The Springfield, Mass. native came to Hudson Valley following a season as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the 2018 Graphic Edge Bowl champions.

As the 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-16th in the nation with 16 interceptions. Prior to Iowa Central, Jones spent two seasons as the defensive backs coach for Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Coach Jones was an integral part of the program that won back-to-back Graphic Edge Bowl championships in 2016 and 2017.

Jones arrived to Iowa Central after spending a year as the offensive quality coach for Dartmouth College and was part of the 2015 Ivy League championship team. Prior to that, Jones was on the coaching staff at Delaware State University and worked as the cornerbacks coach.

Before joining the staff at Delaware State, Coach Jones coached the defensive line at his alma mater, Westfield State University in Westfield, Mass. Jones was a four-year running back for the Westfield State football program from 2001- 2005.

In 2011, Jones was the running backs coach at American International College in Massachusetts. The Yellow Jackets posted a 6-4 record during the ‘11 campaign.

During the 2009 and 2010 seasons, Jones was defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach at Springfield, MA, Central High School. Jones has also served on the coaching staffs at E.E. Waddell High School and Harding University High School.

Coach Jones has two children, Rebecka and Donovan Jones.

Season Results

2019-20 – 5-4 (Region 3 Champions)

2020-21 – Covid-19 (No Season)

2021-22 – 4-4 (Region 3 Champions)

2022-23 – 6-4 (Region 3 Champions)

NJCAA Region 3 Champions: 2019, 2021, 2022

Coaching Experience:

• 2019-pres.: Hudson Valley Community College - Head Coach
• 2018-19:Iowa Central Community College– Co DC – Defensive Backs Coach
• 2016-18:Ellsworth Community College – Defensive Backs Coach
• 2015-16:Dartmouth College – Offensive Quality Control
• 2013-14:Delaware State University – Corners Coach
• 2012-13:Westfield State University – Defensive Line Coach
• 2011-12:American International College – Running Backs Coach
• 2009-11:Springfield Central High School – Defensive Coordinator/DBs
• 2008-09:EE Waddell High School – Running back/ Defensive backs Coach
• 2007-08: Harding University High School – Defensive Line Coach

Bowl Game Experience

• 2016: Graphic Edge (55-32 win)
• 2017: Graphic Edge (55-14 win)
• 2018: Graphic Edge (34-20 win)

Updated: 8/29/23