USC Announces Hiring of RB Coach Anthony Jones Jr.
From USC SID:
LOS ANGELES—Anthony Jones Jr., most recently serving as the running backs coach at TCU, has been named USC’s running backs coach/run game coordinator, head coach Lincoln Riley announced today (March 4).
“Anthony Jones Jr. is a talented coach that will certainly contribute to our climb as a program,” said Riley. “We welcome the Jones family to USC and look forward to having them as Trojans!”
The 2023 Horned Frogs went 5-7, but were ranked No. 11 in the nation in total offense (466.7), and Emani Bailey was No. 20 in the nation in rushing yards (1,209) and No. 14 in rushing yards per game (100.8).
Jones’ impressive resume’
In 2022, Jones worked side-by-side with former TCU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and helped to coach the Horned Frogs to the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship.
He tutored Kendre Miller, who was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Miller earned 2022 First-Team All-Big 12 honors and was a Doak Walker Award Semifinalist. His 1,399 yards made him TCU’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2016. It was also the most by a Horned Frog since LaDainian Tomlinson led the nation with 2,158 in 2000. Jones also coached Emari Demercado to a career-best season with 681 yards rushing, including 150 yards in the CFP Semifinal win over Michigan.
He was selected for the AFCA 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute as well as the 2022 NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy.
Jones prior to TCU and USC
Prior to TCU, Jones spent 4 seasons as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Memphis (2018-2021). The Tigers made a bowl appearance each season.
In his first 2 seasons with the running backs, Memphis totaled 6,533 rushing yards and 78 touchdowns. In 2020, Jones and the running backs helped Memphis rank 22nd in the nation in total offense (453.1) while finishing the year 17th in the nation in both passing offense (307.9) and first downs (260).
While at Memphis, 4 of his running backs were drafted in a three-year period. In the 2021 NFL Draft, Kenneth Gainwell was picked in the fifth round by the Philadelphia Eagles. Gainwell was the 2019 American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and Football Writers Association of America Freshman of the Year. He was second in the AAC and 12th nationally in rushing with 1,459 yards. Jones also coached Antonio Gibson who was selected in the third round by the Washington Football Team in the 2020 NFL Draft. In 2019, Darrell Henderson and Tony Pollard were both drafted. Henderson was selected in the third round by the Los Angeles Rams, while Pollard was taken in the fourth round by the Dallas Cowboys.
Jones spent 6 seasons (2013-18) as the head coach of Cordova High School in Cordova, Tenn. In his first season leading the Wolfpack, the program recorded its first winning season in 9 years. Three years later, Cordova tallied the most wins (12) in school history and advanced to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Division I Class 6A state playoffs semifinal round, before falling to the eventual state champions. In 2017, Jones led Cordova to an 8-3 record and a TSSAA Division I Class 6A playoff appearance.
He was named an AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game assistant coach three times (2012, 2014 and 2015) and was selected to coach in the 2017 Toyota East-West All-Star Classic in Clarksville, Tenn. Jones was awarded District 16A Coach of the Year honors in 2011 and 2012 and also the District 14A Coach of the Year in 2013.
Prior to coaching at Cordova, Jones returned to his alma mater, Westwood High School in Memphis, Tenn. to serve as an assistant coach (2007-2010) before he took over head coaching duties in 2010. As the head coach at Westwood, he guided the Longhorns to their first winning season in 18 years. That marked the first of three-straight conference and regional championships (2010, 2011, 2012) for Westwood.
Throughout 6 seasons as a high school head coach, Jones coached 75 players who earned college football scholarships.
Jones worked as a graduate assistant at Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2007.
Jones was a wide receiver at Tennessee at Chattanooga where he earned First Team All-Southern Conference honors. He graduated with a degree in business. Jones also holds a master’s degree in education from Union University.
Jones and his wife, Christina, have two children: Kenzie and Kaylie.
Jones’ hiring is contingent upon completion of a successful University background screening.
