Former Indiana University football captain Benyard Jones enters his sixth season as Bryant University Bulldogs’ defensive line coach. Jones was previously the defensive line coach at Youngstown State University during the 2009 season where he assisted in game planning and scout teams.
Jones helped the Bulldogs produce one of the top defenses in the country in 2014. Guided by two of the best defensive ends in the country, Jeff Covitz and Maduka Nwanekezi, the Black and Gold finished fifth in the country in scoring defense (16.1) and ninth in total defense (299.9). The two combined for 14.5 sacks and 38 tackles for a loss on the season. Covitz became the NECs all-time leader in sacks, became the first NEC Defensive Player of the Year in Bryant history and earned three All-American citations. In addition, Covitz was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the top defensive player in the FCS.
In 2013, Jones coached an experienced defensive line that featured some of the most explosive players in program history. The line was headlined by its two defensive ends, Covitz and Nwanekezi. Covitz finished with a program record 20.5 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks, while Nwanekezi had 18 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks. Senior captain Connor McNamara finished with a team-leading 73 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Both Covitz and McNamara were named First Team All-NEC, while Covitz was also named All-New England for the second-straight season.
Prior to arriving at YSU, Jones was at Arkansas Tech in Russellville, Ark. where he was the defensive line coach from 2006-2007 before promoted to defensive coordinator following the 2007 season.
Jones got his coaching start at Arkansas Tech, first as a graduate assistant in 1999 where he would remain until 2005 when he would move on to Butler University in Indianapolis, Ind. where he coached the special teams and later served as the defensive coordinator with a focus on coaching the linebackers.
