Matt Jones is in his first season coaching in the NFL. He joined the Titans in 2023 after spending four seasons at the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Jones arrived at UT Martin in 2019 as the offensive line and tight ends coach. From 2020 to 2022, he added run game coordinator to his duties.
In 2022, the Skyhawks won their second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference title with a conference record of 5-0 and a 7-4 overall record. Running back Zak Wallace became the eighth individual in team history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in a season, concluding the campaign with 1,012 yards. Center Matthan Hatchie earned third-team FCS All-America honors, while running back Sam Franklin and offensive guard Jarod Russell were tabbed to the Freshman All-America team.
During the team's championship run in 2021, the Skyhawks finished the season ranked in the top-25 nationally in sacks allowed (1.15, 14th) and rushing offense (207.6, 15th). Additionally, the Skyhawks ranked among OVC leaders in rushing offense (207.1, first), sacks against (1.62, first), first downs (19.1, first), scoring offense (30.0 points per game, second), total offense (385.2 yards per game, second) and third-down percentage (41.2, second).
In an abbreviated 2020 campaign, Skyhawks tight end Rodney Williams II earned postseason All-American honors by both Phil Steele and Stats Perform along with All-OVC accolades. Williams ranked among OVC leaders in touchdowns (four), receptions (30), receptions per game (4.3), yards (327) and yards per game (46.7).
During the 2019 season, Jones coached three players who earned All-OVC honors in offensive guard Aries Davis, running back Peyton Logan and tight end Colton Dowell. Dowell ranked as one of the league's top pass-catching tight ends with 38 receptions for 765 yards and four touchdowns, while recording four 100-yard receiving contests. He would eventually be selected by the Titans as a wide receiver in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Before his time at UT Martin, Jones was the offensive line coach at Texas Southern for two seasons (2017-18) and at Jackson State for one season (2016).
Jones' career in football began as a student assistant at his alma mater, Eastern Illinois, and one season at Lincoln-Way Central High School (2008). He then spent 2009 and 2010 coaching the offensive line and tight ends at University of Saint Francis (Ill.) before spending two seasons (2011-12) as the offensive line coach, run game coordinator and academic coordinator at Avila University. In 2013, he worked with the tight ends at Villanova, followed by a two-year stint as a graduate assistant at Tulane (2014-15).
A native of Chicago, Ill., Jones earned his bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2008 and a master's degree from Tulane University in 2015.
He and his wife, Becky, have one son, AJ.
Matt Jones' Coaching Timeline:
2023: Offensive Line Assistant, Tennessee Titans
2020-22: Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line & Tight Ends, Tennessee-Martin
2019: Offensive Line & Tight Ends, Tennessee-Martin
2017-18: Offensive Line, Texas Southern
2016: Offensive Line, Jackson State
2014-15: Graduate Assistant, Tulane
2013: Tight Ends, Villanova
2011-12: Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator, Avila
2009-10: Offensive Line & Tight Ends, Saint Francis (Illinois)
2008: Lincoln-Way Central High School
