Elizabeth City State hasn’t enjoyed a winning season in football since 2012 and hasn’t captured a conference championship since 1971. New Vikings head coach Adrian Jones aims to change all that – and quickly.
“We’re not building,” Jones said during his introductory press conference Friday. “Listen to what I say. We’re not building. We want to win this year. It isn’t a two or three-year plan for me. I want to bring the student athletes that are going to come in here and buy into my program, and we’re going to win football games.”
Friday’s press event capped what has been a whirlwind month for Jones. He learned in early December that he was being let go as Shaw University’s head coach after nine seasons at the Raleigh school. The dismissal came as something of a surprise, with Jones guiding the Bears to a positive 6-4 record against strong CIAA competition – the team’s best record since 2021.
The day after his firing, Jones said he was approached by new North Carolina A&T coach Shawn Gibbs about joining his staff in Greensboro. Jones held off and the opportunity at Elizabeth City State presented itself, a chance to continue coaching in the Division II CIAA with a program that has been dormant for awhile but eager to wake up the echoes.
“I’m a firm believer in God,” Jones told ECSU dignitaries and media. “I am a witness here today that God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes God will take something from you to give you something better.”
Multiple times Jones referred to Elizabeth City State as a “gold mine.” He aims to tap football recruiting hotbeds in eastern and coastal North Carolina, as well as the Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads region. He may not have to look too far for prospects, with Northeastern High in Elizabeth City coming off a 2A state championship appearance.
Several of his former Shaw players have announced on social media they intend to follow Jones to ECSU. Jones also got a commitment this week from transfer wide receiver EJ Gatling, a Northeastern alum who played at UNC Pembroke in 2023 and 2024
“I did my research, and I’m very happy to be here,” Jones said. “I really think we can flourish here. You have my word that I’m going to work hard, and we’re going to do our best to win a championship.”
Jones compiled a 35-45 overall record while at Shaw. He mentored 49 all-conference selections, including CIAA first-teamers Travon Tensley (RB) and Saevion Gibbs (DL) this past fall.
Shaw averaged nearly 27 points per game and 359 yards of offense per contest in 2024. Quarterback Christian Peters threw for nearly 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns before entering the transfer portal last month and landing at FCS Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Jones is no stranger to championship cultures. He was a part of two CIAA championship coaching staffs with North Carolina Central in 2005 and 2006. He also coached with the Eagles when they won the MEAC in 2014 and 2015. Jones led Southern Durham to a state high school title in the 3A classification in 2013. The Spartans also won conference crowns in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
“To the players I inherited and to the players that are coming here, we’re going to do it right,” Jones said. “We’re going to be student-athletes, first and foremost. And we’re going to represent this university with pride.”
Jones promised to put a disciplined product on the field. He used words like efficient, exciting and explosive to describe his offensive style.
“We’re going to strike up the band,” he said.
He aims for the defense to be “relentless, nasty and create turnovers.”
Jones replaces Marcus Hilliard, who coached Elizabeth City State football for three seasons and compiled an 8-22 record. The Vikings were 3-7 this past season.
The last time ECSU football finished above .500 was in 2012 when the Vikes, under former coach Waverly Tillar, compiled an 8-4 mark. The 2015 and 2016 teams both went 5-5, but it has been tough sledding since then (18-51 overall).
“What we want to do is cultivate a championship mindset,” Jones said. “Our program will be consistent and the championships will come … That’s what I’m here for.”
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