North Carolina A&T head football coach Shawn Gibbs announced Denzel Jones as the program’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach on January 13, 2025. Jones is an A&T graduate. He returns to Aggieland, where he became the catalyst from his middle linebacker position for one of the best defenses in the nation during the mid-2010’s.
Jones played football at A&T from 2012-15. He earned defensive MVP honors at the inaugural Celebration Bowl in 2015. Before returning to A&T, Jones spent three seasons as Gibbs’s defensive coordinator at Division II Fort Valley State University (2022-24). Jones coached the top-ranked scoring and total defense in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) for two straight seasons (2023-24). His defense helped FVSU win the 2023 Florida Beach Bowl. In 2024, the Wildcats led Division II in rushing defense and total defense.
Before coaching under Gibbs at A&T, Jones spent four seasons (2018-21) at A&T with Sam Washington as the Aggies head coach. Jones earned a promotion to assistant football coach at A&T in 2018 after serving as a graduate assistant in 2017. He coached inside linebackers and rovers. He also handled scouting, game planning, and monitoring academics.
In 2021, Jones coached Jacob Roberts, who achieved second-team All-Big South Conference accolades. Before the 2020 season, linebacker Kyin Howard earned Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors. Because of the COVID pandemic, A&T canceled the 2020 season. Both Howard and Roberts also received All-MEAC recognition in 2019.
Graduating from A&T in 2016 with a degree in supply-side management, he also participated in the American Marketing Association. His community involvement includes church activities and mentoring youth groups.
As a player, Jones lettered four times. He closed his career with 130 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three interceptions, three pass breakups, and six passes defended. Jones helped the Aggies win MEAC championships in 2014 and 2015. His interception at SC State led to the game-winning touchdown, propelling the Aggies into the inaugural Celebration Bowl in 2015.
He attended Dudley High School, located 2 ½ miles from A&T’s campus.
