WARRENSBURG, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Mules Football Head Coach Josh Lamberson announced the hiring of Greg Jones as the Mules' new defensive coordinator on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Jones comes to Central Missouri after serving as a defensive analyst for the University of Oregon football program in Eugene, Ore., in 2022.

"Greg Jones is a man of tremendous character and integrity. He will bring an enthusiastic energy to the program and be a fantastic role model for our young men to emulate," Lamberson said. "I am extremely excited for him to be able to teach, grow and impact the lives of everyone in our program. His proven track record of success both on and off the field will pave the way for the UCM defense."

As a defensive analyst for the Oregon Ducks, Jones served as the assistant safeties coach and recruited the states of Iowa, Florida, Texas, and Missouri.

Prior to his time in Eugene, Jones was a standout high school head coach throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area from 1997-2021, serving as the head coach for Park Hill High School from 1997-1998, Park Hill South High School from 1998-2002, Odessa High School from 2004-2006, Kearney High School from 2006-2017 and Liberty North High School from 2017-2022. He also spent 2002 as the head coach at Van Buren High School in Van Buren, Ark.

In his 11 years as the head coach at Kearney High School, Jones led the Bulldogs to two state championships in three championship game appearances while winning nine district titles and six conference championships. He compiled an overall record of 119-23 (.838) at Kearney.

At Liberty North, Jones led the Eagles to two conference and district championships and three Missouri State Runner Up finishes and went an impressive 31-6 (.838) in his final three seasons as head coach.

Overall, as a high school head coach, Jones went an impressive 212-71 (.749) in 24 seasons.

"I'm excited to be here and ready to hit the ground running," Jones said. "I'm honored that Coach Lamberson chose me to be part of his staff and the University of Central Missouri, and I'm looking forward to getting to know and work with the coaches and student-athletes. I know coach's expectations are high, and I'm fired up to help the Mules achieve them!"

Jones is a member of the Missouri Football Coaches' Hall of Fame and was named the Missouri State Football Coaches' Association Class 4 Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2015. He was the 2019-20 Liberty North High School Teacher of the Year as an athletic weight training instructor and a seven-time Suburban Coach of the Year and six-time KMZU Coach of the Year.

Jones received a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo., in 1991 before earning his master's degree in education from Northwest Missouri State in 1993 and an education specialist degree from William Woods University, located in Fulton, Mo., in 2012.

He served as a graduate assistant for the Northwest Missouri football program from 1991-93, coaching the linebackers and defensive line for the Bearcats.