SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head football coach Larry Coker announced Wednesday the hiring of Nathaniel Jones as an assistant coach. He will tutor the team’s cornerbacks and his appointment is effective immediately.
“Nathaniel is an outstanding recruiter and cornerbacks coach,” Coker said. “He comes to us from a very successful Midwestern State program and he’s a great addition for UTSA. He is the ninth assistant coach we’ve brought on board and his hiring completes our inaugural coaching staff. Now we will be able to do a much more thorough job in recruiting, especially covering the state of Texas.”
Jones’ hiring completes the full-time assistant coaching staff, as he joins Kevin Brown (tight ends), Travis Bush (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Polo Gutierrez (running backs), Tony Jeffery (special teams coordinator/receivers), Jim Marshall (offensive linemen), Mike Menefee (safeties), Neal Neathery (defensive coordinator/linebackers) and Eric Roark (defensive linemen) on Coker’s staff.
“This is a great opportunity for my family,” Jones said. “I’m excited about getting right to work and helping the program be the best it can be. There is no ceiling to what UTSA football can accomplish and that’s something I really look forward to being a part of. “
Jones comes to San Antonio after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was in charge of the program’s secondary and helped the Mustangs win 17 games and a Lone Star Conference South Division title during his tenure. Four of his defensive backs were honored as all-conference, including second-team All-American and 2009 Lone Star Defensive Back of the Year Micah Hill, in his two years with the program.
In 2010, Midwestern State posted an 8-4 record, including a perfect 5-0 mark at home. Jones helped the Mustangs’ defense record 16 interceptions, including a team-high three by Neiko Conway.
In his first season with the Mustangs, the defense picked off 16 passes, including four by Micah Hill, which was tied for third most in the Lone Star Conference. Midwestern State posted a 9-3 record and shared the Lone Star South Division crown with a 4-2 mark. The Mustangs advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs where they lost to No. 18 Abilene Christian in the first round, 24-21.
Hill, a cornerback, was named second-team Daktronics All-American and Lone Star co-Defensive Back of the Year, and he earned first-team all-conference honors along with safety Danny Jackson. Additionally, cornerback Brandon Williams picked up honorable mention accolades from the league.
Prior to his tenure at Midwestern State, Jones spent one year as a scout and organized camps for NFL Europe.
Jones spent one season as an assistant coach at Northwestern State, where he was in charge of the cornerbacks. He broke into college coaching with St. Francis (Ill.) as an assistant coach in 2005.
A former four-year letterwinner at Louisiana-Monroe from 1996-99, Jones played cornerback, safety and outside linebacker for the Warhawks. The New Orleans, La., native was named team captain as a senior.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in general studies/social science from ULM in 2000 and then entered the coaching field at the prep level in Louisiana. Jones became the youngest head coach in the state when he was tasked to lead Joseph S. Clark High in New Orleans. He led the Bulldogs to their first postseason appearance in more than 10 years.
Jones then spent two seasons as an assistant coach in charge of linebackers at Reagan High in Houston before moving into the college ranks.
Jones is married to the former Jaclyn Bernard and the couple has a daughter, Alonah.
