Chris Jones Added To HSU Football Staff

ABILENE, Texas — Chris Jones, a former all-region football player at Hardin-Simmons, has returned to his alma mater as the defensive line and junior varsity coach.

Jones, who has spent the last two seasons as a graduate assistant at Sam Houston State, is back at HSU. He spent the 2007 season as a graduate assistant after a stellar four-year career as a defensive lineman. He claimed two American Southwest Conference titles in his playing career at HSU.

“I am excited to get back to Abilene,” said Jones. “Hardin-Simmons is home to me and we want to get back to winning championships on a consistent basis. It has been too long and we need to get back on top.”

Jones never missed a game as a player as he started 22 straight games and played in 41 straight contests. He had 22.5 career tackles for loss, nine sacks and 126 career tackles from his defensive tackle position. He was a two-time all-ASC selection and was named first-team all-South region as a senior.

Jones is a native of Brownwood and has a bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons in sports, fitness and leisure and he needs nine hours to complete his master’s degree.

“We are excited to have Chris back with us,” said HSU head coach Jimmie Keeling. “In the year he was a GA for us, he proved he was going to be a great coach. He is a great recruiter and he communicates so well with our kids. He has played in the program and knows what is expected of our players. He was an intense worker as a player and I expect it will be the same as a coach.”

Jones replaces Sam Shields, who retired after the season.

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