Daronte

Jones

The process for moving past fired DC Matt Eberflus is in its opening stages. Jones, 47, hasn’t called plays for a defense since his brief stint as LSU defensive coordinator in 2021. He does have plenty of high-level defensive experience and specializes in defensive back play, which makes him a good thought for a Cowboys back seven that figures to have a lot of turnover this offseason.

Jones now has two defensive coordinator interview requests. Good for him. He is also considered a candidate to replace Vikings DC Brian Flores, if were Flores to leave the Vikings’ organization for another opportunity.

Jones was initially hired by the Vikings to coach only the defensive backs in 2022. They added defensive pass game coordinator to his title in 2023. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert believes Jones “would be on a very short list to replace Brian Flores as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, if Flores departs.”

Jones also interviewed with the Jaguars and Bears this offseason after serving as the pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach for the Vikings for the previous three seasons. The 2024 version of the Minnesota defense held opponents to 6.5 yards per pass attempt, ranking 11th in the league, while also leading the league with 24 interceptions. Jones was first linked to the Saints on Thursday.

The Saints become the second team to request an interview with Jones, who also spoke to the Jaguars regarding their DC vacancy this off-season. The veteran coach has spent the last three seasons with the Vikings as a defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator and last held a defensive coordinator role in 2021 with the LSU Tigers. The Vikings’ secondary has been a top-15 unit in YPA allowed in each of the last two seasons and led the league with 24 interceptions in 2024. Jones will have to compete with former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley for the opening, as Staley is rumored to be the top candidate for the job.

Jones joined the Vikings in 2022 as their DBs coach and was promoted to passing game coordinator in 2023. He first joined the coaching ranks in 2002 as a safeties coach at Nicholls State and received his first job in the NFL in 2016. He’s served almost exclusively as a defensive backs coach while in the pros, while his most notable stint as a coordinator came in 2021 while at LSU. That season, his Tigers ranked 70th in the nation in points per game and ranked 65th in yards allowed per game. Jones is the Jaguars’ first defensive coordinator candidate to interview with the team, meaning there will likely be a few more candidates before anything is finalized.

Jones reportedly interviewed with the Giants last week at the Senior Bowl, where he served as the National team’s defensive coordinator. Jones Has been with the Vikings since 2022 and was promoted to the passing game coordinator in 2023. The long-time coach last held a defensive coordinator role with LSU in 2021 and also called plays as the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator at Bowie State from 2005 to 2009. Jones has made his way around the college and pro game over the last two decades, and could once again find himself leading a defense next season.