So far this offseason, Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer has made a few changes to his staff. The biggest came for the defensive backs, with former safeties coach Colin Hitschler out.

Jason Jones is now on staff for the Tide, helping coach defensive backs alongside Maurice Linguist, who largely focused on UA’s cornerbacks last season. He’s one of two additions to the staff, along with Chuck Morrell, who got a promotion to inside linebackers coach.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday while attending a Senior Bowl practice in Mobile, DeBoer had high praise for Jones, who played at Alabama before his coaching career.

“It actually kind of surprised me when I brought his name up to a few members of the coaching staff,” DeBoer said. “Didn’t realize there were as many connections. When I dove into those connections a little bit more, just the same things kept coming out about who he is as a person, how great he is. It’s in all facets: recruiting, the Xs and Os, just the player development piece.”

After finishing up his playing career, Jones began coaching as a graduate assistant under Mike Shula. His career includes stints at Indiana, Florida Atlantic, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Tulsa and Rice.

Most recently, Jones coached cornerbacks at North Carolina.

“Him being local and someone who is an alum was an added bonus,” DeBoer said. “Didn’t have to be that way, but it certainly was something I know he was excited about. Just speaking his behalf too there, but all-around just team player and everything. And we were looking for the right combination as we work into the defensive backs and the coaching of that group as a whole, and love what we got there with Mo Linguist and now Jason Jones.

Alabama’s 2025 A-Day spring game is scheduled for April 12. The Crimson Tide will open the regular season Aug. 30 at Florida State.