Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White


Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

Nick Saban confirms Alabama is ‘interested’ in hiring Butch Jones as analyst

Nick+Saban+confirms+Alabama+is+interested+in+hiring+Butch+Jones+as+analyst

During Alabama’s annual Pro Day, former Tennessee coach Butch Jones was spotted observing the work outs in a crimson jacket with an Alabama logo on it. Jones was reportedly in Tuscaloosa recently discussing a potential analyst position.

On Wednesday, Alabama head coach Nick Saban confirmed that he is interested in hiring Jones, but does not know what the status of the move is at this time.

“I don’t know where that is,” Saban said. “We have issues that we have to go through to hire somebody from another school, and I haven’t gotten a report on where that is right now. We are interested in him being a part of our staff.”

Jones was Tennessee’s head coach from 2012-2017 after being hired away from Cincinnati. He coached the Bearcats from 2010-2012. Before that, he was the head coach at Central Michigan from 2007-2009.

He also spent nine years as an assistant coach from Central Michigan and West Virginia. He coached multiple positions including tight ends, wide receivers and running backs.

During his time at Tennessee, the Volunteers failed to beat Alabama. The closest game came when Alabama needed a late touchdown by Derrick Henry to secure a 19-13 win.

“He has a lot of experience,” Saban said. “We all just had a lot of respect for him when we had to play against him, so that’s why we are interested in him.”

Jones is currently being paid an $8.2 million buyout from Tennessee that will come in monthly payments until 2021.

Jones would add to the list of former head coaches who have joined Alabama staff. Most notably, the Crimson Tide hired Lane Kiffin as an offensive coordinator, Steven Sarkisian in an analyst role and later as offensive coordinator and Mike Locksley as offensive coordinator.

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