The 27-year veteran assistant coach worked with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles at Duke and has experience coaching in the SEC. "Derek understands what it takes to play cornerback at this level," Heupel said. "He's coached and played SEC football and has a track record of developing cornerbacks for the NFL."
Jones played at Ole Miss in the mid-90s and most recently coached at Virginia Tech. Tennessee has remade its secondary this offseason, bringing in several new cornerbacks through the transfer portal. The Volunteers will begin spring practice soon, with the orange and white game scheduled for April 11th.