Penn State football staffer leaving program for on-field role

A Penn State football staffer is leaving the program to elevate into an on-field role at the FCS level. According to Football Scoop, Nittany Lions graduate assistant Bryce Jones has been tapped to become the cornerbacks coach at Northern Iowa. Jones had worked with the secondary while with James Franklin and his staff at Penn State.

Nittany Lions GA Bryce Jones gets FCS opportunity

First reported by John Brice of Football Scoop on Tuesday night, Bryce Jones now has his first opportunity to coach at the Division I level, becoming the cornerbacks coach at Northern Iowa. Jones had served on the Penn State football staff as a graduate assistant since the 2022 season.

#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/XBwJjFpJG3

— Bryce Jones (@BryceJones94) February 2, 2024

Playing collegiately at Boston College and Akron, Jones turned to the coaching ranks after brief stints in the NFL and XFL. He was formerly an assistant coach at Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina and a graduate assistant at the University of Mary in North Dakota.

Since arriving in Happy Valley in 2022, Bryce Jones has worked with Terry Smith, Anthony Poindexter, and the Nittany Lions secondary. Penn State football has produced multiple NFL-caliber defensive backs during that time, including Ji’Ayir Brown and Joey Porter Jr. This season, the Nittany Lions will likely have several cornerbacks drafted, with Kalen King, Johnny Dixon, and Daequan Hardy all heading to the NFL Draft.

Penn State football moves to get defensive staff in line for 2024

Bryce Jones is just the latest change as James Franklin gets the Penn State football staff in order for 2024. Last week, the Nittany Lions added Keith Bruno from Temple as a special teams analyst. Penn State has replaced several off-field staff members on the offense and recruiting department, as well.

Jones leaves a Penn State defense that will be under new leadership this fall, as James Franklin hired Tom Allen to replace outgoing defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. While the on-field staff has largely remained intact for the Nittany Lions on defense, Franklin and Allen did add Zach Terrill and Jeff McInerney as analysts in January.

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