Another Vikings Coach Is Drawing Promotion Interviews
It’s not all Brian Flores for developments in the Minnesota Vikings coaching carousel. Last week, defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones began to get nibbles for a defensive coordinator position. The 47-year-old has worked for the Vikings in five seasons, dating back to 2020, and it may be time for a promotion elsewhere.
Jones is getting looks that could force the Vikings into a new contingency plan behind Brian Flores.
Teams are interviewing Jones, meaning he could be on the move any minute.
Which Teams Are Interviewing Daronte Jones?
NFL franchises are targeting Minnesota’s defensive coaches after the group has finished in the Top 3 per efficiency in back-to-back seasons.
Dallas Cowboys to Interview Jones
With any luck for his sake, Jones will be a Cowboy in the next couple of weeks.
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote last week, “The Cowboys have lined up their first three interviews with defensive coordinator candidates. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that they will speak with Vikings defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones and Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda on Friday. Broncos defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard will meet with the Cowboys on Saturday.”
“The last three Cowboys defensive coordinators — Dan Quinn, Mike Zimmer and Matt Eberflus — all had NFL head coaching experience in the past, but that’s not the case for any of these three candidates. Leonhard was the interim head coach at the University of Wisconsin in 2022 and went 4-3.”
Eberflus’ defense ranked dead last in the NFL this season, sparking head coach Brian Schottenheimer to pursue change. Jones could be the change agent.
The Jets Follow Suit
Put Jones down for a Jets interview, too.
New York Daily News‘ Antawn Staley noted Friday, “Just days after the conclusion of another dismal season, the Jets began reaching out to candidates for their vacant defensive coordinator role. Gang Green has requested to interview Vikings defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones.”
“Jones, 47, first became an NFL assistant in 2016 when he was the Dolphins’ assistant defensive backs coach under then-coach Adam Gase. This was after working 15 years in the college ranks in various roles.”
New York’s defense ranked 30th per EPA/Play in 2025, two spots up from the Cowboys, but still quite terrible.
Jets X Factor’s Connor Long claimed on Sunday that Jones is a scheme fit for head coach Aaron Glenn, “Jones’ background lines up cleanly with head coach Aaron Glenn’s core defensive principles. This is critical, as ‘synergy’ is a word that Glenn emphasized when discussing what he wants in a new defensive coordinator.”
“At LSU and in Minnesota, Jones has operated in man-heavy systems with match elements, asking defensive backs to press and compete at the catch point rather than rely heavily on zone coverage, as former Jets DC Steve Wilks did. Jones could certainly be a viable option to serve as the Jets’ next defensive coordinator. His schematic philosophy aligns with Glenn’s, while his secondaries in Minnesota have been dominant.”
Jones’ Career Resume
While Jones feels like a young up-and-comer, he’s actually overdue to receive a trial as an NFL defensive coordinator. He’s been all over the place in the last 20 years since taking a job at Bowie State in 2005.
Here’s his resume over the last two decades:
— Bowie State (2005–2009)
Assistant head coach & defensive Coordinator
— UCLA (2010)
Cornerbacks coach
— Montreal Alouettes (2011)
Defensive backs coach
— Hawaii (2012–2013)
Secondary coach
— Hawaii (2014)
Assistant head coach & secondary coach
— Wisconsin (2015)
Defensive backs coach
— Miami Dolphins (2016–2017)
Assistant defensive backs coach
— Cincinnati Bengals (2018–2019)
Cornerbacks coach
— Minnesota Vikings (2020)
Defensive backs coach
— LSU (2021)
Defensive coordinator
— Minnesota Vikings (2022)
Defensive backs coach
— Minnesota Vikings (2023–present)
Defensive pass game coordinator
In fact, it’s a little strange that Jones has not been offered a defensive coordinator audition. That could change this offseason.
What about … the Vikings?
The awkward part? Jones could be a defensive coordinator option for the Vikings if Brian Flores leaves. Flores is scheduled to chat with the Baltimore Ravens this week about their open head coaching job, and if he earns that title, Minnesota will need a new defensive coordinator.
In addition to outsiders like Raheem Morris, Jonathan Gannon, and Patrick Graham, Jones would be considered a frontrunner to grab Flores’ job in Minnesota.
Of course, if Dallas or New York fall in love with Jones, he’ll depart while Minnesota waits on a Flores verdict, who is also the coach version of a free agent this offseason.
Jones will turn 48 in November.
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