Butch Jones knows where he is, but that doesn’t stop people from reminding him.

The Arkansas State coach is back in the state of Alabama and met with the media Tuesday ahead Saturday’s game with Northern Illinois in the Camellia Bowl in Montgomery.

“I’ve already been reminded that I’m staying in the Nick Saban suite,” he said, “so I had to send them all video of it.”

Jones spent 2018-2020 in Tuscaloosa as an offensive analyst and special assistant to Saban.

“Everyone has said that the state of Alabama is football,” Jones said. “To be able to come back here and my three years at the University of Alabama was probably the three most gratifying years I’ve been a part of. Obviously, winning a national championship, you experience everything.”

Jones is in his fourth FBS head-coaching job after he previously led Central Michigan, Cincinnati and Tennessee before being fired by the Vols in 2017.

It was in Tuscaloosa, however, he witnessed all facets of chasing national titles. In his time in Tuscaloosa, the Tide won a title, lost one and fell short of one.

“I was able to experience all the three different levels of expectations and everything that goes into that great program and the greatest coach of all time,” Jones explained.

In 2018, the Tide lost to Clemson in the national championship game 44-16. In 2019, it was a New Year’s Day Citrus Bowl win over Michigan 35-16. In his final year, Alabama went undefeated and beat Ohio State for the national title 52-14.

“The exciting thing is it isn’t that far to Tuscaloosa, Jones said. “Half the staff is coming to the game in support. Then, we’ll show the same support when they play in the Rose Bowl.”

Arkansas State’s appearance in the Camellia Bowl is the third in the Alabama game. Both teams come in with 6-6 records. Northern Illinois opened with a win over Boston College and won five of its last seven games.

It’s the first time since 2019 that Arkansas State is bowl eligible. The Red Wolves are led by Sun Belt freshman of the year Jaylen Raynor at quarterback. Northern Illinois running back Antario Brown has run for 1,164 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Jones made national headlines early in the season when his team lost to Oklahoma 73-0 and looked visibly shaken. Arkansas State safety Justin Parks went over to comfort his coach in what became a trending moment on social media.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.