Elizabeth City State University Names New Head Football Coach
ELIZABETH CITY, NC – Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) announces Adrian Jones as the 15th Head Coach of the Vikings football program. With an impressive coaching career, leadership qualities, and a commitment to excellence, Coach Jones is poised to bring renewed energy to ECSU Athletics.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Jones to Elizabeth City State University,” said James M. DuBose Jr., ECSU Athletics Director. “He embodies the values and vision we strive for in our athletics program. We are confident that Coach Jones will elevate our football team to new heights and inspire our student-athletes both on and off the field.”
Coach Jones joins ECSU after serving as the Head Coach at Shaw University for eight seasons, where he guided the Bears to multiple winning seasons and saw 49 players earn All-CIAA honors. His coaching journey includes two tenures at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) (’03 -’07) and (’14 -’16), where he was part of coaching staffs that contributed to three MEAC Conference Championships and a Black College National Championship in 2006. Before Shaw, Jones had an impactful tenure as the head coach at Southern Durham High School, leading the team to multiple conference titles and a NCHSAA State Championship in 2013.
“Elizabeth City State University has a rich legacy and a vibrant community,” said Coach Jones. “I am honored to lead the Vikings football program and look forward to working with our student-athletes to create a culture of excellence, discipline, and teamwork that resonates both on the field and in the classroom.”
A Durham, NC native, Coach Jones is a distinguished alumnus of NCCU, holding both a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy and a master’s degree in school administration. As a student-athlete, he excelled as an All-Conference Defensive Back (1996, 1997) and Division II All-American Defensive Back (1996), earning accolades for his athletic and academic achievements.
Coach Jones is married to Dr. Kamala Uzzell and is the proud father of one daughter, Jayla.
About Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City State University provides students with a high-quality, affordable education as a member of the University of North Carolina System. ECSU fosters the development of courageous, resilient, and empowered leaders through experiential, student-centered learning. Offering baccalaureate, professional, and master’s degrees across a wide range of disciplines, ECSU inspires students to “Come to Discover. Leave to Conquer.” Learn more at www.ecsu.edu.