Central Michigan names Butch Jones new football coach

Jan 5, 2007 - 11:02 PM MOUNT PLEASANT, Michigan (Ticker) -- Central Michigan did not take long to find a replacement for Brian Kelly.

Central Michigan on Friday named former West Virginia offensive coordinator Butch Jones as its football coach.

Jones, who turns 39 on January 17, returns to a program where he worked in a variety of roles from 1998-2004. He replaces Kelly, who took the Cincinnati job on December 4 after guiding the Chippewas to a 10-4 record and the first Division I-A bowl win in school history.

"It's an honor and a privilege to be the head football coach at Central Michigan University," Jones said. "It's a program that now has national prominence, and along with that, a program that has the support of the administration, faculty, students and alumni."

A native of Saugatuck, Michigan, Jones inherits a team which went 7-1 in the Mid-American Conference and won its first conference title since 1994. The Chippewas then posted a 31-14 victory over Middle Tennessee State in the Motor City Bowl on December 26.

"Growing up in Michigan, going to school in the state, and now being the head coach at Central Michigan, it's obviously very exciting," Jones said. "I've recruited in Michigan throughout my entire coaching career, and I look forward to working with the high school coaches all across the state as the head coach at CMU."

After working as an intern for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1987-1990, Jones served as Central Michigan's wide receivers coach from 1998-1999 before being promoted to offensive coordinator from 2000-2004. He joined the Mountaineers in 2005.

"I am excited to have Butch Jones leading our football program," Central Michigan athletics director Dave Heeke said. "We are fortunate to have someone here from an outstanding program like West Virginia, and his experience with one of the most successful spread offenses in the country will help further develop our offense."