Eugene Jones IV starts his fifth season on the Mercyhurst University football staff and will, again, oversee the Lakers’ secondary.
In 2014, the Lakers picked off 15 enemy passes, seven by free safety Colin Kimball, who won nearly every award imaginable at season’s end. Kimball set game, season, and career marks for return yards; established a new career mark with 15 picks; set season and career records for interception returns (2 and 4) and set the mark for longest interception return of 100 yards.
The Laker defense also had 15 interceptions in 2013, six by Kimball - at that time the most by a Mercyhurst player since Neil Harris picked off six in 2004. Mercyhurst allowed just ten touchdown passes in 2013 and held opponent quarterbacks to a 117.76 rating - seventh in the conference. The secondary also combined for 18 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Jones IV came to Mercyhurst after one season as the linebackers coach/video coordinator at Widener University. There, he tutored three All-Conference players (Joe Wojceichowski, Dylan Ditmer, and Jamal Dorsey). He also coordinated all video duties and was responsible for all aspects related to filming games and practices and all film exchanges. He produced film breakdown, scouting reports, and led the scout team offense during the week.
Prior to Widener, he had one-season graduate assistant stints at Ithaca College (2011) and at the University of Pittsburgh (2010).
At Ithaca, Jones IV led the secondary, producing a First Team All-Conference selection at the cornerback position. He also coached the hawks position on a punt unit that ranked fourth nationally in net punting average, and he coached the jammers position on a punt return unit that ranked first nationally. During his time at Ithaca, he also served as the defensive coordinator for the junior varsity team.
While at Pittsburgh, Jones IV served as an academic graduate assistant, checking and reporting players’ academic attendance to the head academic counselors. He was also responsible for breaking down opponent film for the defensive side of the ball and producing corresponding scouting reports.
Jones IV graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in May of 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and African studies. He also minored in administration of justice. Upon graduation, he went to the Pittsburgh School of Education to further his psychology studies.
He also received his Master’s degree in exercise and sport sciences at Ithaca College.
