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Patriots Assistant Coach Bolting From New England for New Job

By Joe Summers

Jan 5, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks to throw against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Jan 5, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks to throw against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images / Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
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The Patriots' continued circus of coaching candidates took another turn on Thursday upon the news that defensive coaching assistant Keith Jones Jr. would take a job with Appalachian State's football program.

He'll accept a coaching role with the Mountaineers after spending two years with New England's staff after originally joining the organization in 2022 as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship.

Significant uncertainty surrounds the Patriots with the sudden firing of Jerod Mayo. Just one season into his tenure as the presumptive Bill Belichick successor, Mayo was shown the door and recent reports indicate Mike Vrabel is the top choice. Either way, Jones won't be part of the future.

Patriots Lose Assistant Coach Kevin Jones Jr. to College Ranks

A move like this likely indicates that more is on the horizon. Someone Jones, a presumptive rising candidate in the organization, wouldn't leave for a mediocre college job unless he knew the future wasn't bright in New England.

Once the Patriots hire a new head coach, that person will presumably bring in his, her, or their own staff. An assistant like Jones doesn't have a bright future in that environment, so it's wise to build his resume in the college ranks now that Mayo is gone.

You could do a lot worse than having the New England Patriots in your job history and Jones landed a job with one of the premier development programs in the country. He's spent time at both Arkansas and Missouri Southern State, showcasing his ability to adapt and influence young men no matter the environment.

We'll soon know who the Patriots intend to hire and what kind of staff that person wants to craft. After falling short with the Mayo hire, there's pressure on Kraft to get this one right or be subject to the criticism that follows when a legend like Bill Belichick moves on.

It's in the realm of possibility that Jones returns eventually but for now, he's trying to prove himself in an unproven environment.

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