Named as Arkansas state coach, he was “deeply polite and respectful,” but Butch Jones became emotional during an initial press conference on Wednesday when he thanked Alabama coach Nick Saban.
Jones has spent the last three seasons in a-f-field role in Alabama under Saban.
He replaces Blake Anderson, who left Arkansas State to become the new head coach of Utah State. The state of Utah announced that the state of Arkansas had hired Anderson about an hour before the operation to make Jones an officer.
Jones quoted 972 text messages, thanking those who arrived.
“One of the biggest thanks – and I’m going to be emotional – is Coach Saban and his wife, Ms. Terry and indeed the entire Alabama football family. From day 1, they welcomed a rival race into their great family. Everyone there is very meaningful to me and I will never be able to thank them enough.
Jones spent five seasons as coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, going 34-27, although only 14-24 at the SEC, but it was clear he kept his time favorite in Tuscaloosa.
“The last three years have been very rewarding in many ways. We’ve been able to reflect and evaluate everything we’ve accomplished in our previous three locations: practice football, l, study coaches, then working on a daily basis with the greatest football coaches of all time.
“With these three years, I was able to do research, study and evaluate various organizations and football programs. The program I was returning to was from the state of Arkansas. ”
Jones ’comments are below his full and start with the 18-minute mark.
Mark Himm is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter Mark_heim.
