In 1987, he joined Buddy Ryan's coaching staff with the Philadelphia Eagles. After two stints with the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Raiders in 1991 and 1992, respectively, Jones rejoined Ryan as linebackers coach for the Houston Oilers in 1993. As Ryan became head coach for the Arizona Cardinals, he selected Jones as his defensive coordinator. In 1995, Arizona ranked last in total defense in the NFL, giving up 26.4 points and 356.5 total yards per game. Ryan and his complete staff were fired subsequently.
Heading back to the collegiate ranks, Jones became defensive coordinator at the University of Texas at El Paso under coach Charlie Bailey. In 2000, Bailey was replaced by Gary Nord, so Jones went on to coach the special teams for the Buffalo Bills. Bills owner Ralph Wilson was unimpressed with Jones's work with the team and demanded Jones's firing after one season; when head coach Wade Phillips refused, Wilson fired them both.[2]
The Ottawa Braves, coming off a 9–0 season in 2000, finished 6–4 under Jones, who then left for West Texas A&M University.[5]
Despite making the bold statement that West Texas A&M would win an NCAA Division II national football championship under his guidance,[6] Jones amassed only a 5–27 record as Buffaloes head coach. Jones was suspended with pay on April 13, 2005, amid allegations that he had misused university resources for personal gain.[7] Jones resigned as the Buffaloes' head coach five days later on April 18 after a university investigation discovered that Jones had been running a marketing business out of his office. The investigation also stated that Jones abused his authority by exerting undue influence on student athletes and employees by soliciting membership in his marketing business. University police seized Jones' computer and found inappropriate material on it.[8]
