Minnesota Vikings defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones made a strong impression as the defensive coordinator during the Senior Bowl, leading to an on-site interview with the New York Giants. The interview took place last week in Mobile, Alabama, where Jones served as the National team’s defensive coordinator at the Senior Bowl.
At 45 years old, Jones completed his third season with the Vikings after being elevated to the role of defensive passing game coordinator the previous offseason. He played a pivotal role in supporting the new defensive scheme proposed by Brian Flores, which he had implemented as the defensive coordinator for LSU in 2021.
The innovative scheme, characterized by a six-man front with zone coverage behind it, was a novel approach in the NFL. Despite its uniqueness, it proved successful for the Vikings, as their defense ranked first in expected points added (EPA) per play for 10 weeks last season. Unfortunately, the unit faced challenges later in the season due to injuries.
The #Giants interviewed #Vikings DBs coach Daronte Jones for their defensive coordinator job, per source.
The interview took place last week in Mobile, where Jones impressed as the National team’s defensive coordinator at the @seniorbowl.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 4, 2024
Jones explained that the scheme creates the illusion of the secondary being isolated, with no post safety or Cover-2 apparent. However, he clarified that it’s a strategic deception, emphasizing the complexity and teamwork involved in the defensive approach.
Daronte Jones Earns High Praise From Vikings Veteran Harrison Smith
In 2020, Jones joined the Vikings and took on the responsibility of developing a young cornerback group as the defensive backs coach for Mike Zimmer. This move came after the franchise decided to part ways with veteran cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackenzie Alexander.
The Vikings selected Jeff Gladney in the first round and Cameron Dantzler in the third round of the draft. Both rookies became immediate starters for the team, forming part of a cornerback group where no player had three or more years of experience during that season. By the 12th week of the season, the Vikings’ passing defense ranked ninth according to Football Outsiders’ Defensive Value over Adjusted (DVOA) metric.
Harrison Smith commended Jones, stating, “He’s been earning his money this year.” Smith highlighted Jones’s effective communication in conveying tasks and expectations without overwhelming the group. Smith emphasized the importance of striking a balance, considering the varying experience levels within the group. According to Smith, Jones has excelled in starting with fundamentals, gradually expanding knowledge, and providing enough information for growth without hindering progress.
Coaching defensive backs is widely regarded as one of the most challenging roles on a Zimmer-led coaching staff, but Jones successfully met the challenge. Zimmer expressed his admiration for Jones, acknowledging the toughness of coaching defensive backs. Zimmer praised Jones for being intelligent, articulate, unafraid to share ideas, and tough on the players. He appreciated Jones’s relentless approach in pushing and challenging the players, particularly the young ones, and credited him for doing a terrific job with the inexperienced group.
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