But Jones took on more than just providing his players with guidance on the field. He went out of his way to make sure they had what they needed off the field as well, whether it was food or “whatever it may be.” He wanted to make sure they had the tools to be successful outside of football and getting a college degree.
It was an important moment in building his mantra of establishing and strengthening relationships with his players — something Jones still tries to do today and what many believe to be one of his biggest strengths as a coach.
“Once they are in for you, they’ll go through a brick wall for you,” Jones said. “The relationships that we build in me getting to know them and them getting to know me off the field are really genuine.”
And making sure players know that his care for them extends beyond the field encourages them to play harder for him, too.
“And when you develop that relationship, they realize that, ‘You know what? He cares more than just if I make this play or not. He’s really invested in me. And so, because he’s invested in me, I can now become invested in him and what he’s teaching and buying in,'” Jones said. “Because when you’re dealing with, especially football players, or just any athlete or people in general, for me to listen to you, I have to be invested in you.”
Jones has continuously gambled on himself throughout his coaching career. That approach landed him his first opportunity as an NFL play caller with the Commanders, who are looking to breathe new life into their defense after a disappointing 2025 campaign. It’s only fitting that he gets to take on that challenge back home where that passion began.
“The foundation of who I am and why relationships are so important to me is because of those players that I’ve come in contact with either coaching or playing with. It’s special, and there’s a bond that’s there.”