Former Steelers First-Round Pick Jarvis Jones Named Head Coach at Alma Mater
Jarvis Jones, a former first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has taken on a new role in football as the head coach at Carver-Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia — the very school where his football journey began. A standout player during his high school years, Jones graduated from Carver-Columbus in 2009 before continuing his career at USC and later the University of Georgia.
After his NFL career ended, Jones returned to Georgia in 2019 to complete his college degree. He then joined the University of Georgia’s football program as an assistant outside linebackers coach under head coach Kirby Smart. During his time on the coaching staff, Jones was part of two national championship-winning teams, further cementing his impact on the sport at the collegiate level.
Jones made a name for himself in college football as a dominant pass rusher. While at Georgia, he was named a two-time All-American, and in 2012, he received both the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and the Butkus Award after recording 14.5 sacks. These accolades helped elevate his profile ahead of the NFL Draft.
In 2013, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Jones 17th overall in the first round, hoping he would continue their tradition of elite pass rushers. Although he was once projected as a top-ten pick, his draft stock dropped due to subpar testing results. Jones played four seasons in Pittsburgh before the team declined his fifth-year option. He later signed with the Arizona Cardinals but was released in 2017.
Now shifting his focus to the next generation of athletes, Jones will lead Carver-Columbus High School’s football program. His return as head coach is a full-circle moment that blends his deep ties to the community with the experience he’s gained as a player and coach at the highest levels of the game.
