Jeff Jones returns to SIU as Associate AD for Internal Operations
07/28/2018 | 7:10:00 | General
A double graduate of Southern Illinois University, Jeff Jones has returned to his alma mater and will serve as the Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations. Jones played football at SIU from 2002-05 and worked in academics in Saluki Athletics from 2005-11.
"SIU is my life. It's home for me. It's been a part of me since I was 17. I remember walking into a troubled place in 2001. It was a struggle, but I was here through the glory years, as well. For me, it's special because I've seen both. Now, we're working to get back to the top in the Valley. That's the mission."
At Saluki Athletics, Jones will serve as primary sport oversight for softball and men's and women's golf. He will assist Director of Athletics Jerry Kill with oversight of the football program. He will also oversee SIU's student services and equipment staffs.
Jones, a Detroit, Michigan native, was in Coach Kill's first recruiting class at Southern Illinois and served as team captain three times, helping the Saluki Football program win three conference championships and earn a No. 1 national ranking.
"Jeff knows how I am and how I operate," Director of Athletics Jerry Kill said. "He played here; he worked with academics here; and he's served in many administrative roles with me since then. He's somebody I trust as much as anyone. If you ask anybody about Jeff Jones, they'll tell you he's the hardest working guy they've ever been around. He slept in his office at Minnesota and Rutgers."
Jones began his career in administration as a graduate assistant in academics at Southern, working with the football, women's basketball, softball and track and field programs. He was promoted to academic coordinator in 2007, the year that Saluki Football went to the semifinals in the FCS playoffs and men's basketball advanced to the Sweet 16.
"The No. 1 thing I saw when we were building this thing the last time was a true love for the student-athletes," Jones said. If the administration shows that love and concern for students, the students will do anything in the world for them. That family atmosphere is what's going to motivate the student-athletes to perform, not only in the classroom, but also on the courts, on the field, or in the pool."
When Kill was hired as head football coach at Minnesota, he hired Jones as his recruiting coordinator before promoting him to director of player personnel. Jones helped lead Minnesota to five bowl appearances. He then earned a spot at Rutgers alongside Coach Kill as assistant director of player development.
"He's my mentor. He's an extended father figure," Jones said of Kill. "I'll be loyal to him for the rest of my life for the things he's taught me and hundreds of teammates. Coach Kill is the most loyal and hard working guy I've met in my life. I've never seen anyone make more sacrifices for other people than Coach Kill does. He's one of the most loyal people I've ever met."
"SIU is my life. It's home for me. It's been a part of me since I was 17. I remember walking into a troubled place in 2001. It was a struggle, but I was here through the glory years, as well. For me, it's special because I've seen both. Now, we're working to get back to the top in the Valley. That's the mission."
At Saluki Athletics, Jones will serve as primary sport oversight for softball and men's and women's golf. He will assist Director of Athletics Jerry Kill with oversight of the football program. He will also oversee SIU's student services and equipment staffs.
Jones, a Detroit, Michigan native, was in Coach Kill's first recruiting class at Southern Illinois and served as team captain three times, helping the Saluki Football program win three conference championships and earn a No. 1 national ranking.
"Jeff knows how I am and how I operate," Director of Athletics Jerry Kill said. "He played here; he worked with academics here; and he's served in many administrative roles with me since then. He's somebody I trust as much as anyone. If you ask anybody about Jeff Jones, they'll tell you he's the hardest working guy they've ever been around. He slept in his office at Minnesota and Rutgers."
Jones began his career in administration as a graduate assistant in academics at Southern, working with the football, women's basketball, softball and track and field programs. He was promoted to academic coordinator in 2007, the year that Saluki Football went to the semifinals in the FCS playoffs and men's basketball advanced to the Sweet 16.
"The No. 1 thing I saw when we were building this thing the last time was a true love for the student-athletes," Jones said. If the administration shows that love and concern for students, the students will do anything in the world for them. That family atmosphere is what's going to motivate the student-athletes to perform, not only in the classroom, but also on the courts, on the field, or in the pool."
When Kill was hired as head football coach at Minnesota, he hired Jones as his recruiting coordinator before promoting him to director of player personnel. Jones helped lead Minnesota to five bowl appearances. He then earned a spot at Rutgers alongside Coach Kill as assistant director of player development.
"He's my mentor. He's an extended father figure," Jones said of Kill. "I'll be loyal to him for the rest of my life for the things he's taught me and hundreds of teammates. Coach Kill is the most loyal and hard working guy I've met in my life. I've never seen anyone make more sacrifices for other people than Coach Kill does. He's one of the most loyal people I've ever met."
Video | Rishonda Napier Hall of Fame interview
Tuesday, October 15
Video | Jorge Delgado Hall of Fame interview
Tuesday, October 15
Video | Rick Murray Hall of Fame interview
Tuesday, October 15
Saluki Chats in Chevies | Episode 1 | Anna Jaworski
Tuesday, October 15