Ronnie Jones (American football)

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Ronnie Jones
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamNorthwestern Oklahoma State
ConferenceGAC
Record1–10
Biographical details
Born (1955-10-17) October 17, 1955 (age 68)
Dumas, Texas, U.S.
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1978–1983Northeastern State (GA)
1984Tulsa (S&C)
1985–1986Arizona State (S&C)
1987–1990Philadelphia Eagles (S&C)
1991Los Angeles Rams (S&C/LB)
1992Los Angeles Raiders (LB)
1993Houston Oilers (LB)
1994–1995Arizona Cardinals (DC)
1996–1999UTEP (DC)
2000Buffalo Bills (ST)
2001Ottawa (KS)
2002–2004West Texas A&M
2006–2014Martin HS (TX) (DC/LB)
2015–2020Lakeview Centennial HS (TX) (DC/ST)
2021–2022Emerson HS (TX) (DC)
2023–presentNorthwestern Oklahoma State
Head coaching record
Overall12–41

Ronnie Joe Jones (born October 17, 1955)[1] is an American football coach. He is the head football coach for Northwestern Oklahoma State University, a position he has held since 2023. Jones has served on coaching staffs at numerous colleges and National Football League (NFL) teams.

Early life and coaching career[edit]

A native of Sunray, Texas, Jones graduated from Sunray High School in 1974. He went on to receive a bachelor's degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and a master's degree from Northeastern State University. While at Northeastern, he began his coaching career. In 1984, he joined John Cooper's staff at the University of Tulsa as strength and conditioning coach and moved with him to Arizona State University a year later.

In 1987, he joined Buddy Ryan's coaching staff with the Philadelphia Eagles. After two stints with the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Raiders in 1991 and 1992, respectively, Jones rejoined Ryan as linebackers coach for the Houston Oilers in 1993. As Ryan became head coach for the Arizona Cardinals, he selected Jones as his defensive coordinator. In 1995, Arizona ranked last in total defense in the NFL, giving up 26.4 points and 356.5 total yards per game. Ryan and his complete staff were fired subsequently.

Heading back to the collegiate ranks, Jones became defensive coordinator at the University of Texas at El Paso under coach Charlie Bailey. In 2000, Bailey was replaced by Gary Nord, so Jones went on to coach the special teams for the Buffalo Bills. Bills owner Ralph Wilson was unimpressed with Jones's work with the team and demanded Jones's firing after one season; when head coach Wade Phillips refused, Wilson fired them both.[2]

Jones became head coach at Ottawa University, a small NAIA school in Ottawa, Kansas.[3] Jones was the 27th head coach for the Braves and he held that position for the 2001 season.[4]

The Ottawa Braves, coming off a 9–0 season in 2000, finished 6–4 under Jones, who then left for West Texas A&M University.[5]

Despite making the bold statement that West Texas A&M would win an NCAA Division II national football championship under his guidance,[6] Jones amassed only a 5–27 record as Buffaloes head coach. Jones was suspended with pay on April 13, 2005, amid allegations that he had misused university resources for personal gain.[7] Jones resigned as the Buffaloes' head coach five days later on April 18 after a university investigation discovered that Jones had been running a marketing business out of his office. The investigation also stated that Jones abused his authority by exerting undue influence on student athletes and employees by soliciting membership in his marketing business. University police seized Jones' computer and found inappropriate material on it.[8]

Head coaching record[edit]

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Ottawa Braves (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) (2001)
2001 Ottawa 6–4 6–3 T–3rd
Ottawa: 6–4 6–3
West Texas A&M Buffaloes (Lone Star Conference) (2002–2004)
2002 West Texas A&M 0–11 0–8 / 0–6 13th / 7th (South)
2003 West Texas A&M 3–8 2–6 / 2–4 T–10th / T–4th (South)
2004 West Texas A&M 2–8 2–7 / 1–5 T–10th / T–6th (South)
West Texas A&M: 5–27 4–21
Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers (Great American Conference) (2023–present)
2023 Northwestern Oklahoma State 1–10 1–10 11th
Northwestern Oklahoma State: 1–10 1–10
Total: 12–41

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Up Close With Ronnie Jones". Amarillo.com. August 30, 2002. Archived from the original on August 4, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  2. ^ Mortensen, Chris (January 9, 2001). "Phillips refused to fire special teams coach". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  3. ^ "Ronnie Jones Named Next Head Coach of Ranger Football". Northwestern Oklahoma State Athletics. December 12, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "2012 Football Media Guide" (PDF). Ottawa Braves. p. 7. Retrieved February 26, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "WT hires new coach Sunray native Jones chosen over Carthel, others". Amarillo.com. November 30, 2001. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  6. ^ Jon Mark Beilue (December 2, 2001). "Beilue: Jones' hiring is now-or-never for WT program". Amarillo.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  7. ^ "West Texas A&M suspends football coach pending probe". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 13, 2005. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  8. ^ "WT coach resigns after university investigation". Myplainview. April 18, 2005. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
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