One of the new additions to the Jackson State University Division of Athletics staff, Javancy Jones was hired last season to assist the Tigers’ football team as Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach entering his second season.
In his first season, Jones led a ressurection of the Tigers’ special teams as he led a unit that produced one of the nation’s leading kick returners in Travis Terrell, placekickers in Gerardo Baeza, and punters in Matt Noll. The trio earned all-conference honors with Terrell and Baeza earning All-American honors during the season. As a unit, the Tigers finished ranked nationally in blocked punts (ninth), punt returns (ninth), blocked kicks (22nd), net punting (41st), and kickoff return defense (44th). He also coached a defense that finished ranked nationally in team passing efficiency defense (third), team defense (fourth), scoring defense (sixth), third down conversion percentage defense (seventh), passing yards allowed (ninth), passes intercepted (12th), rushing defense (13th), team tackles for loss (17th), turnovers gained (18th), team sacks (18th), sacks allowed (31st), fumbles recovered (35th), first downs defense (40th), and turnover margin (45th).
Prior to joining the Jackson State football staff, Jones served as Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator at Louisville High School in Louisville, Miss., where the team compiled an impressive cumulative record of 52-5 during his four seasons with the program from 2020-23. The program also posted a 17-1 playoff record, tied the school record with eight shutouts in 2022, won the North Half Championship and the District Championship in 2020, 2022 and 2023, had 19 total shutouts during that span, and yielded less than 10 points in 34 games. Jones was tabbed Defensive Coordinator for the Magnolia Bowl in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Jones also served as Head Football Coach at Eiland Middle School in Louisville, Miss. for the 2019-23 seasons. His eighth-grade team went 27-8 with him at the helm, while his seventh-grade team was 31-4. He produced two eighth grade All-Americans, two conference MVPs and five All-State selections. Three of his players would go on to receive NCAA Division I offers, those coming from Jackson State, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.
Jones’ coaching career began at Noxubee County High School in Macon, Miss., where he served as Linebackers Coach and Head Junior Varsity Coach during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He led the team to an 11-4 overall record while producing two first team All-State selections, one second team All-State selection and one Bernard Blackwell North/South All-Star selection.
A native of Noxubee County and the son of London and the late Kristine Jones, Jones was a star football player as a high schooler, leading his team to a perfect 16-0 record and a 4A championship his senior season. He became a Jackson State Tiger in 2013.
He began and ended his college career at Jackson State in phenomenal fashion, reaping SWAC and Jet Magazine Freshman of the Year Honors in 2013, earning first team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference and FCA All-America honors four times, and being tabbed Jackson State Defensive MVP and Team MVP in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He was a Conerly Award finalist in 2015 and 2016 and a finalist for the Doris and Eddie Robinson Scholar Athlete Award in 2014 and 2015.
Jones earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 2017 and a Master of Science degree in Sports Management in 2019, both at Jackson State. He was an East/West Shrine All-Star selection in 2017 and signed with the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League later that spring.
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