Butch Jones, who replaced Brian Kelly at Central Michigan in 2006, was named the University of Cincinnati’s 38th head football coach Wednesday afternoon.
“I usually don’t like to use the term ‘football program’” Jones said. “I like to use the term ‘family.’ I know a lot of individuals preach family, but we live family each and every day.”
According to the Associated Press, Jones is signing a 5-year deal.
Jones announced he added Kerry Coombs to his coaching staff. Coombs will work with the secondary, as he did this season under Kelly.
Jones said he’ll remain in the background for UC’s Sugar Bowl showdown with Florida, which will be coached by offensive coordinator Jeff Quinn.
“I think it’s all about them finishing what they started and I talked to them today about leaving their legacy. To me, it’s all about the kids,” Jones said.
A native of Michigan and a former offensive coordinator at CMU, Jones spent one season as an assistant under Kelly and later returned to Mount Pleasant to replace Kelly after spending the 2005 and 2006 seasons as an assistant coach under Rich Rodriguez at West Virginia University.
Jones was 26-13 in three seasons as the head coach of the Chippewas, with Mid-American Conference championships in 2007 and 2009.
