Mike Jones raves about what he's learned from LSU defensive coordinator Matt House

Veteran linebacker Mike Jones is entering his second season at LSU following three spent at Clemson. And in year two as a Tiger, he has a new defensive coordinator that he absolutely loves.

Matt House heads up the defense down in Baton Rouge in the new Brian Kelly regime. He comes via the Kansas City Chiefs where he was the special teams coordinator. And his last stint in college came at Kentucky, where he architected perhaps the Wildcats’ best defense in program history in 2018.

Jones is already sold on House the coach and the man. At SEC Media Days, he explained why House has been such a positive addition already:

Mike Jones on Matt House

“I’ve learned a lot from Coach House. I love Coach House, man. He is a great dude and I’m super blessed to play for him. To be getting the opportunity to learn from him, you know, just to be around him every day.”

According to Jones, House is a model for the way he behaves as coach, but also as a leader of young men.

“And I can say something about every aspect of his life. The way he carries himself, to the way that he addresses us, his players, to the way he interacts with his staff. Everything is done at such a high level and this exposed me to a level that I’ve never even known. You know, just the way things could be done.”

Now in his second year at LSU and entering his fifth overall in college, Jones knows he needs to step into a leadership role. Especially after posting such a productive season in 2021. He says House has helped him tremendously in that aspect as well.

“He taught me a lot about being a leader and different ways to lead throughout the team. So, it’s so many things that I’ve gotten from Coach House that it’s hard to even name one. But 100% sure I am super blessed to be working with him and super thankful for him and really our whole staff as well.”

If Mike Jones’ comments are any indication, Brian Kelly nailed his DC hire in year one. Which would be a great start, since their defense struggled mightily a year ago.