Quentin Jones first joined the Wesleyan staff in June 2022 and is entering his fourth season in 2025. He has worked with the Cardinals' defensive line and served as the run game coordinator in all three seasons since coming to Middletown, coaching six All-NESCAC performers and a NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year in his tenure. He also oversees the strength and conditioning for the football program.
A member of the 2024 NESCAC Coaching Staff of the Year, which marked the team's first-ever NESCAC Coaching Staff recognition, Jones helped lift the Cardinals to the team's best season in the modern era in 2024, as Wesleyan went 8-1, captured a third straight Little Three title, and culminated in the team's first-ever outright NESCAC Championship. Opening the year with a 43-7 drubbing of Middlebury on the road, that win marked the Panthers' biggest home loss in over 40 years. Wesleyan then held Tufts without a touchdown in a 20-9 triumph under the lights at home. After suffering their first defeat of the season to Bates in Week 3, the Cardinals rebounded with six straight wins to end the year. That six-game win streak started with 19 unanswered fourth quarter points to defeat Hamilton on the road 19-7. Jake Edwards returned a fumble 88 yards for a game-winning, walk-off overtime touchdown in a 23-17 win over Colby in Week 5. The Cardinals held off Bowdoin for a 17-14 road win before scoring 31 unanswered to defeat Amherst 31-14 in a game that Wesleyan trailed 14-0 in the first quarter. With a third straight Little 3 title on the line, the Cardinals drove over 90 yards down the field with less than two minutes to play in regulation, as WR Luke LaSaracina '25 hauled in a game-deciding touchdown with six seconds left as Wesleyan defeated Williams 25-24 in an epic clash to claim three straight Little Three Championships for the first time since 1946-48. Then in the season finale, Wesleyan's defense held Trinity scoreless in the second half, converting two lengthy fourth downs in pivotal moments in the fourth quarter, to defeat Trinity 27-17 in what was the de-facto NESCAC Championship game in Hartford.
Jones played a key role for a 2024 Wesleyan defense that ranked first in the NESCAC in scoring defense, passing defense, fumbles recovered, opponent first downs, opponent third down success rate, and red zone defense. Across the country, Wesleyan's defense ranked 19th in total defense (253.9), 24th in scoring defense (14.8), 19th in passing yards allowed (156.8), 1st in fewest first downs allowed (121), and 7th in third down defense (26.7). The Wesleyan defense set a NESCAC record with seven First Team performers including two along the defensive line in tackle Mike Rowan '25 and end Jason Villano '25. In addition, Rowan was named Third Team All-Region by D3Football.com.
Despite having the youngest defensive line unit in the NESCAC in 2023, the Cardinal defense continued to have success under Jones’ leadership. In Jones’ two seasons the rush defense has been stout. The Cardinals did not allow a 100-yard rusher in 2023. Since the start of the 2022 season, there has been just one game where a rusher has eclipsed the 100-yard mark against Wesleyan. The Cardinals finished with a Top 4 rush defense in the NESCAC for the second straight season. The pass rush tallied 20+ sacks in 2023 after leading the NESCAC in sacks in 2022. Nine different defensive linemen recorded a sack in 2023, highlighted by 5.5 sacks by All-NESCAC Declan Welch who was only one of four underclassmen selected on a All-NESCAC Team (offense, defense, and special teams). The Wesleyan defense also finished tied for second in the country in defensive touchdowns with both defensive lineman Jason Villano and Jake Karmin tied for fifth in the nation in forced fumbles.
The reigning NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Helbig, had an even more explosive season under Jones as he became the first defensive lineman to win the award twice in 2022. He finished the season with eight sacks while finishing second in the NESCAC in tackles for loss and second in NCAA Division III with five forced fumbles. Helbig was named to the New England Writers All New England Team, while also being named the Division II/III Defensive Player of the Year by the Boston Gridiron Club and New England Writers. Helbig capped off an amazing career at Wesleyan with being nominated for the Gagliardi Trophy which is awarded to the Most Outstanding player in Division III (D3 Heisman).
The Cardinal defensive unit racked up 3+ sacks in seven out of nine games in 2022 while ranking second in NESCAC total defense, rushing defense, and opponent 1st downs. The stellar season defensively also garnered national accolades as the Wesleyan defense finished: 11th in Opponents 1st Downs allowed in NCAA D3, Top 20 in NCAA D3 in rushing yards per carry allowed, Top 25 in NCAA D3 in First Down Defense (23rd), Top 30 in NCAA D3 in Red Zone Defense (27th), and Top 30 in NCAA D3 in Rushing Defense (28th). The defensive front was a force all season, not allowing a rushing TD until Week 5 against Bowdoin.
Prior to Wesleyan, Jones served as Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach at Defiance College (OH) in 2021. The Yellow Jackets defense ranked #2 in red zone defense and #5 in total defense. Defiance junior linebacker Thomas Coltrain was named First Team All-HCAC for the second season in a row. Coltrain led the HCAC with 98 total tackles and 67 solo tackles. His 67 solo stops are currently the seventh-most in NCAA Division III this season. Coltrain also led the Yellow Jackets with 12.5 tackles for loss.
Under Jones tutelage, three Defensive Linemen received All Conference recognition. Sophomore DL Richard Pope IV and senior DL Rigo Villa earned spots on the Second Team defensive line. Villa earned Second Team honors last season while Pope IV was on the First Team and a D3Football All-American last season. Senior Defensive Lineman Maurice Brewer received Honorable Mention despite missing a few games. Brewer finished second on the team and sixth in the HCAC with 10.5 tackles for loss. He also logged 42 total tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. DB Carlens Elias also finished top 3 in the HCAC for fumbles recovered. Maurice Brewer was selected to play in the College Gridiron Showcase in Fort Worth, Texas. Where he was voted as a top prospect and elevated to the Big School Gridiron showcase where over 50 scouts from the NFL, XFL, and CFL were in attendance.
That following Spring, Jones was invited to be apart of the 2022 NFL Defensive Line Coaches Combine Luncheon held annually during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. With 29 out of 32 NFL teams represented at the luncheon, Jones was the only collegiate coach in attendance. Acknowledging him as a rising, top upcoming Defensive Line coach in the game.
Jones has previously held coaching positions at Brown University, Limestone College, Ohio Wesleyan, and Western New Mexico. He also coached professional football in Europe, leading the Prague Lions as Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator from 2018-19 and as Head Coach/General Manager in the National Gridiron League with the Penn Pioneers/Dayton Firebirds.
Under his command, Prague led the league in turnovers forced, turnover margin, passes defended, and completing percentage while also finishing second in both scoring offense and red zone defense.
During his lone season at Brown University Jones played a big role with the Defensive Line group including 1st Team All-Ivy League Defensive End Richard “Dewey” Jarvis. Jarvis was the Runner-Up for Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year. 2 Time 1st Team All-IVY, Jarvis led Brown with 69 total tackles, seventh best in the Ivy League. He ranked second in the League in sacks (8.0) and tackles for loss (14.0). His 17.5 career quarterback sacks rank second-most in Brown football history. Jarvis was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 18 after recording four quarterback sacks for a loss of 28 yards against Bryant, while forcing a fumble and making eight tackles. In Ivy play, Jarvis had eight tackles against Harvard, 1.5 for a loss, and a safety in the end zone. He recorded 10 tackles and forced a fumble against Penn. Jarvis also led the nation in forced fumbles per game. Daryle Banfield and Michael Hoecht also made All Ivy honors. All 3 signed free agent contracts in the NFL. Jarvis signed with the Atlanta Falcons after a stellar senior season. Banfield, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears. Hoecht, who is currently on the Los Angeles Rams active roster was the # Overall Draft pick in the Canadian Football League but ultimately went on to sign with the LA Rams. Jones, also assisted as Pro Liaison for the Bears
A Columbus, Ohio native, Quentin excelled in both the classroom and on the playing field. The Northland High School graduate was a top ranked defensive tackle who earned a scholarship to UTEP. Played at UTEP under Mike Price and Minnesota Vikings Defensive Line Coach Andre After transferring and spending a year at Youngstown State, he finished his athletic and academic career at the University of Charleston in West Virginia.
Jones graduated in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business. In December 2015, he earned a Master of Science with a concentration in Strategic Leadership from the University of Charleston, West Virginia and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He is the Author of “How To Maneuver Through College: What They Don’t Tell You."
Jones is married to Ashly and has three children: Jamir (18), Mars (6), and Moon (4).
