Austin Peay State University Athletics

Chris Jones joined the Austin Peay coaching staff as its run game coordinator and defensive line coach in August 2021 after 11 seasons as an assistant coach in Texas – first for Hardin-Simmons, his alma mater, and then a year at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Jones, who will still coach the defensive line, was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in January 2023. 

During his first two seasons in Clarksville, Jones led a Governors run defense that allowed just one FCS opponent to rush for 200 yards while holding eight opponents under 100 yards in 19 games.

In 10 seasons at Hardin-Simmons, Jones’ defensive line unit paced a defense that ranked among Division III’s Top 40 in tackles for loss in eight consecutive seasons (2012-19). The Cowboys reached the NCAA Division III Football tournament three times (2016-18) for the second time in program history during his tenure. 

Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in behavorial sciene from Hardin-Simmons in 2007 before receiving his Master’s in kinesiology, sport, and recreation from HSU in 2018.

Jones and his wife Kenneishia have three children: Cortland, Kennsington, and Karrington.

JONES’ CAREER SUMMARY

AUSTIN PEAY (2021-23)

2023: Elevated to co-defensive coordinator in January.

2022: In his second season in Clarksville, Jones led an Austin Peay rush defense that ranked 29th in the FCS and second in the ASUN Conference, allowing just 128.5 yards per game. The Governors defense also led the ASUN and was tied for 16th in the FCS with just 12 rushing touchdowns allowed. In nine FCS contests, the Govs run defense allowed just one team to rush for 200 yards while holding five opponents under 100 yards – including a 34-yard rushing day for Murray State, which was the fewest rushing yards APSU has allowed during the Scotty Walden Era. Jones helped the Governors put the ASUN Conference's best defense on the field after leading the league in total defense (317.2 ypg), scoring defense (22.2 ppg), and third-down conversion defense (.308) – those marks ranked 12th, 32nd, and third, respectively, in the FCS. The Govs also led the ASUN and ranked 16th in the FCS with 7.3 tackles for loss per game while their 80 total tackles for loss were the eighth-best single-season total in program history. With Jones’ guidance, defensive end Kwame Sutton ranked eighth in the ASUN in tackles for loss (7.5) and sixth in sacks (4.5).

2021: Named run game coordinator and defensive line coach, August 1, 2021. Austin Peay led the OVC with 1.64 sacks per game (18 sacks) and was second in rushing defense (148.5 yards per game). That effort was part of a total defensive effort that had the Govs leading the OVC in scoring defense (24.9 points per game). Defensive lineman Terrell Allen earned Second Team All-OVC and Hero Sports Sophomore All-America recognition following the season.

TEXAS A&M KINGSVILLE (2020)

2020: Hired as co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach for the Division II Javelinas. TAMUK played just two games during the Spring 2021 schedule and averaged 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. 

HARDIN-SIMMONS (2010-19)

2019: For the eighth consecutive year saw his defensive line unit recognized on the All-American Southwest Conference teams with Kyle Zavala and Hunter Creasey named to the league’s second team. The Cowboys defense was one of Division III’s best, ranking fourth in total defense (230.7) and eighth in scoring defense (13.1 ppg) while ranking 20th in tackles for loss (8.2 per game). 

2018: Hardin-Simmons made its third consecutive NCAA Division III postseason appearance for the second time in program history. The defense again ranked 26th among Division III teams in tackles for loss (8.0 per game) and 22nd in third-down defense (28.7 percent conversion rate). Hunter Creasey earned his first Second Team All-ASC honors after posting 12 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks while Kyle Zavala earned All-ASC honorable mention. 

2017: HSC appeared in the NCAA Division III tournament for the second straight year. The Cowboys’ defense ranked among Division III’s Top 40 in sacks (26th, 3.0 per game), tackles for loss (31st, 7.9 per game), and pass efficiency defense (34th, 106.93) while holding opponents to 13.9 points per game (15th in Division III). Defensive lineman Jim LaFond picked up his second Second Team All-ASC recognition after leading the team with 9.5 sacks among 11.5 tackles for loss.

2016: Hardin-Simmons reached the NCAA Division III Football Championship for the first time since 2008. It was the third-straight year HSC’s defense was among Division III’s Top 50 in both sacks (29th, 3.2 per game) and tackles for loss (36th, 7.8 per game). LaFond earned his first Second Team All-ASC award after posting 44 tackles and 6.0 tackles for loss.

2015: For a second straight season, Hardin-Simmons’ defense was ranked among Division III’s Top 50 in both sacks (21st, 3.1 per game) and tackles for loss (33rd, 8.0 per game). HSC’s defense held opponents to a league-low 17.4 points per game and 111.10 pass efficiency. Senior defensive lineman Korey Zavala was a D3Football.com Second Team All-America honoree and was a First Team All-ASC pick along with defensive lineman Ryne Lewis with Trent Walker and Randy Hirsch earning honorable mention. 

2014: Jones coached one of the top defensive line units in the ASC with three All-ASC selections: Ryne Lewis picked up First Team All-ASC honors while Zavala earned his second Second Team All-ASC award and Trent Walker received honorable mention recognition. HSU ranked second in the American Southwest Conference in rushing defense (138.3 yards per game) and was among Division III’s top 50 in sacks (14th, 3.1 per game) and tackles for loss (33rd, 7.8 per game).  

2013: HSU defensive line unit ranked among Division III’s top 50 in tackles for loss (33rd, 7.8 per game). Zavala earned Second Team All-ASC honors as a sophomore after leading Cowboys with 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

2012: HSU ranked 24th among Division III programs in sacks (3.0 per game) and 25th in tackles for loss (8.0 per game), leading the ASC in the latter category. Defensive lineman Undra Hendrix recorded 11 sacks, the most by a HSU defensive tackle, and 19 tackles for loss en route to Division III All-American honors and the ASC Defensive Lineman of the Year.

2011: The Cowboys led the American Southwest Conference in pass defense (150.60 yards per game), which ranked 25th among Division III programs.

2010: Returned to his alma mater as defensive line coach and coached American Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-ASC defensive lineman Hank Hornsby.

SAM HOUSTON STATE (2008-09)

2008-09: As a graduate assistant, worked with Bearkats linebackers in 2008 and defensive line in 2009.

HARDIN-SIMMONS (2007)

2007: Remained at Hardin-Simmons following his collegiate career and coached the Cowboys’ defensive line unit.

COLLEGIATE PLAYING CAREER (2003-06)

Played four seasons at Hardin-Simmons as a defensive lineman and did not miss a game, playing 41 consecutive contests and starting 22 straight games. He helped the Cowboys win American Southwest Conference titles (2003 and 2004) and make NCAA Division III tournament appearances twice (2004 and 2006). Jones finished his career with 126 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. He earned Second Team All-America recognition as a senior and was a two-time All-ASC selection.