Adrian Jones enters his first season as the Head Coach of the Elizabeth City State Vikings.
Jones comes to Elizabeth City State after nine seasons (2016-2024) at the helm for the Shaw Bears posting a 35-45 overall record. During his tenure with the Bears, Jones coached 49 All-CIAA selections, 14 CIAA All-Rookie Team, CIAA Defensive Player of the Year (Devon Hunt) and CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year (Hunt). Jones added three players to the Don Hansen All-Super Region II team (Kevonta Jones, Keanu Gonzalez, Sydney Gibbs).
The Bears notched a 5-2 record against St. Augustine’s in the annual Raleigh Classic during Jones’ tenure.
Prior to his tenure with the Bears, Jones returned to his alma mater, N.C. Central, for his second stint as a running backs coach and camp coordinator for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. During those seasons, the Eagles collected two MEAC Championships.
In the seven years (2007-2013) prior, Jones led his high school alma mater, Southern High School, to seven straight playoff appearances. Jones and the Spartans would collect three consecutive PAC-6 championships and PAC-6 Coach of the Year honors (2007-09). During the 2013 season, the Jones led Spartans won the NCHSAA 3AA State Championship after securing the Big 8 Conference title and Big 8 Coach of the Year honors.
During the Summer of 2006, Jones served as the defensive coordinator with the AFL 2 South Georgia Wildcats, leading the defensive unit to the No. 1 ranked redzone defense in the league.
Jones started his coaching career with his first stint at N.C. Central from 2003-06 as an assistant coach working with defensive backs and outside linebackers. The Eagles, then part of the Division II and the CIAA, won two CIAA Championships (2005, 2006) and the 2006 Black College National Championship.
Before joining the coaching climb, Jones played Arena Football with the Greensboro Prowlers, Augusta Stallions, and Carolina Cobras over a four-year career.
Jones, native of Durham, N.C., played collegiately at N.C. Central as a defensive back earning First Team All-CIAA and Second Team All-Region honors during his junior and senior campaigns. Jones remains among the Eagles’ career leaders in passes defended (41) and interceptions (10).
During the 1997 season, Jones recorded a punt return of 80-yards for a touchdown against Fayetteville State, at the time, the return was a school record. In 1996, Jones was named NCAA DII Player of the Week after tying a school record three interceptions in a single game. The defensive back earned Division II All-American and Streets & Smith All-American honors.
Jones graduated from N.C. Central in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy. Jones would later receive his master’s degree in School Administration.
He is married to Dr. Kamala Uzzell Jones, and has a daughter, Jayla.
