Ernest T. Jones
Fort Myers,FL
Summary
To apply my extensive coaching experience, leadership abilities, and unwavering dedication to excellence to a challenging leadership role. I am excited to contribute to a high-performing team, exceeding targets, nurturing client relationships, and driving revenue growth through effective communication, strategic thinking, and adaptability.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Community and Engagement Specialist
David Lawrence Centers
Naples, FL
10.2024 - Current
- Develop strong relationships with key referral services, with local businesses and community leaders
- Collaborate with DLC staff to generate referrals
- Educate clients, families, community and other referral sources on DLC services and programs
- Represent DL in all professional forums and communicate the mission in all outreach interactions
President, and Founder
Jones Family Cares Foundation
Fort Myers, FL
08.2021 - Current
- Guide students and families by providing a better understanding of the processes needed to transition from phase to phase (middle school, high school, college, real-world/professional)
- Provide opportunities for youth to solve problems, explore ideas, rally for a cause, and learn new skills
- Support marginalized students and community organizations around the country to enhance and support the growth and development of future leaders
Workforce Specialist
Urban Strategies
Fort Myers, FL
01.2024 - 10.2024
- Develop a results-oriented action plan centered on economic mobility for targeted projects
- Develop comprehensive community strategies for employment and career advancement
- Work with employers to facilitate job opportunities
- Provide ongoing counseling recruitment, and screen clients - employment education, and employment opportunities
Director, Field-Based Enrollment
Hodges University
Fort Myers, FL
02.2023 - 07.2023
- Reporting to the VP of Enrollment Management, conducted presentations for high school students and administrators in surrounding counties to inform them of the various programs offered by Hodges
- Built working relationships with community groups and organizations to assist in creating and developing internship and employment opportunities for graduates
- Arranged campus tours for prospective students and families
- Developed and implemented strategies and plan to attract new students
- Member of Emergency Management for Large athletic or political events and catastrophic situations
Football Coach-Secondary & Special Teams Coordinator
Alabama A&M University
Huntsville, AL
09.2021 - 12.2022
- Instructed basic skills, techniques, and position duties.
- Organized and led practice sessions focusing on skills improvement, strategy, and teamwork.
- Selected all Special Teams staff members, and final approval on all Special Teams player personnel.
- Member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; member of the Emergency Management team for athletic, political, and catastrophic events.
Vice President for Athletics and Student Services
University of Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL
11.2020 - 08.2021
- Directed policy development for the Athletics and Student Services Departments.
- Defined specific expectations within the department regarding ethics, accountability, competitiveness, academic achievement, and student services.
- Served as a member of the President's Cabinet.
- Collaborated with University Advancement to develop, design, and implement initiatives and special projects for development and fundraising efforts.
- Oversaw expenditures within the athletic department, ensuring compliance with financial guidelines.
- Chairperson of Emergency Management for large athletic or political events, and catastrophic situations.
Athletics Director
Florida Memorial University
Miami Gardens, FL
02.2019 - 10.2020
- Directed and oversaw a competitive NAIA athletics department with 12 programs, 40 staff members, and over 300 student-athletes.
- Led strategic planning and policy development for the athletics program while maintaining a program committed to the university's mission and priorities.
- Oversaw hiring of coaching and support personnel.
- Monitored compliance with all relevant policies and regulations of the university, national associations, and conferences.
- Served as a member of the President's Administrative Cabinet.
- Served as FMU's delegate for the Sun Conference on the NAIA ADA Board of Directors.
- Managed a $5.5 million athletic budget.
- Generated over $500,000 through cooperative fundraising efforts.
- Secured agreements for venue sections' naming rights, including the arena floor, training facility, and office spaces.
- Led implementation of four new sports programs, resulting in a 279% boost in student-athlete enrollment.
- Developed the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
- Led the Sun Conference’s Eligibility Committee as chair.
- Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Committee
- Chairperson of Emergency Management for large athletic or political events, and catastrophic situations.
Interim Head Coach/Associate Head/ Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach
Morgan State University
Baltimore, Maryland
08.2016 - 01.2019
- Created and implemented strategies to develop a competitive team regionally and nationally.
- Recruited student-athletes from Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia Beach.
- Sourced top talent by scouting, attending tournaments, conducting home visits, and interviewing key community members.
- Verified academic eligibility through transcript evaluation.
- Coordinated seasonal plans encompassing competitive schedules and practices.
- Oversaw hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of coaches and team managers.
- Oversaw substantial program budget management and scholarship distribution.
- Enhanced visibility of the football program through statewide, regional, and national public speaking engagements.
- Executed the implementation of diverse programs promoting team members' and coaches' involvement.
- Directed the successful implementation of fundraising projects, camps, and clinics for the Men’s Football Program.
- Attended professional growth seminars and workshops.
- Previously served as the Assistant Head Coach.
- Member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
- Member of Emergency Management for large athletic or political events, and catastrophic situations.
Head Football Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
ASA- Miami College
North Miami Beach, Florida
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Led and directed all aspects of the college’s football program.
- Hired, trained, evaluated, and supervised coaches.
- Created and integrated complete offensive game plans.
- Enhanced knowledge base and skill sets by coaching fundamental techniques.
- Successfully forged an agreement with city officials in Hialeah to renovate the stadium.
- Finalized and obtained game agreements.
Manager-Parks and Recreation-Department of Athletics
City of Deerfield
Deerfield Beach, Florida
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Organized and executed diverse recreational programs to cater to public needs.
- Contributed to annual financial budgeting.
- Managed maintenance, recreational services, and personnel.
- Oversaw revenue collection from recreational programs, activities, special events, and admissions, and prepared related reports.
- Conducted regular inspections of park areas and facilities.
- Prepared and maintained various operational reports on attendance, inventory, revenues, and related information.
- Reviewed and approved material requisitions for park operations.
- Developed new programs by collaborating with various entities and improving public relations.
- Participated in emergency management for large athletic, political events, and catastrophic situations.
Director of Player Development and Engagement, Football
University of Notre Dame
South Bend, Indiana
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Coordinated with the campus community to organize and execute non-competitive student-athlete events.
- Collaborated with Academic Services leadership on policies and procedures for athlete study halls.
- Developed and executed event plans for 'Irish Around the Bend,' engaging football players in local service projects.
- Cultivated connections with Student Welfare and Development to organize campus events aimed at student-athlete engagement.
- Delivered interactive sessions on essential life skills, determined the specific needs of attendees, and devised innovative approaches.
- Created and ran a program resulting in more than 20 jobs, internships, and shadowing opportunities for student-athletes.
- Served as a representative for the football program at various public speaking and program fundraising events.
- Member of Emergency Management for large athletic or political events, and catastrophic situations.
Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach
State University of New York at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
01.2010 - 01.2012
Director of Player Services
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
01.2009 - 01.2010
Head Football Coach
Alcorn State University
Lorman, Mississippi
01.2008 - 01.2009
Running Backs Coach
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
01.2006 - 01.2007
Cornerbacks Coach
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
01.2005 - 01.2006
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio
01.2003 - 01.2004
Instructor, First Year Experience and Defensive Backs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, Kentucky
01.2002 - 01.2003
Defensive Backs Coach and Director of Multicultural Development
Concordia University
St. Paul, Minnesota
01.2000 - 01.2003
Running Backs/Director of Player Development
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT
01.2014
Education
Doctor of Arts - Human Services, Administration
Walden University
Master of Arts - Human Services, Leadership
Concordia University (MN)
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Alcorn State University
Associates of Science - Applied Science
Hinds Community College
Skills
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Brand Recognition Strategies
- Strong Relationship Building
- Community Engagement
- Research proficiency
Affiliations
- American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) /Black Coaches & Administrators (16 years; 2000-2013; 2016-Present)
- AFCA Coach of the Year Committee (2000-2005)
- AFCA Public Relations Committee Member (2000-2005)
- Local Toastmaster International, (2005-2008)
Certification
- National Incident Management System
- IS-100
- IS-200
- IS-700
- IS-800
- IS-2200
Professional Development
- Minority Internship/NFL-Buffalo Bills, 2010
- Minority Internship/NFL-Houston Texans, 2007
- Expert Coaches Academy/NCAA-National Headquarters, 2006
- Coaches Academy/NCAA-National Headquarters, 2004
Accomplishments
- United States Air Force- Honorable Discharge
Timeline
Community and Engagement Specialist
David Lawrence Centers
10.2024 - Current
Workforce Specialist
Urban Strategies
01.2024 - 10.2024
Director, Field-Based Enrollment
Hodges University
02.2023 - 07.2023
Football Coach-Secondary & Special Teams Coordinator
Alabama A&M University
09.2021 - 12.2022
President, and Founder
Jones Family Cares Foundation
08.2021 - Current
Vice President for Athletics and Student Services
University of Fort Lauderdale
11.2020 - 08.2021
Athletics Director
Florida Memorial University
02.2019 - 10.2020
Interim Head Coach/Associate Head/ Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach
Morgan State University
08.2016 - 01.2019
Head Football Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
ASA- Miami College
01.2015 - 01.2016
Manager-Parks and Recreation-Department of Athletics
City of Deerfield
01.2014 - 01.2015
Running Backs/Director of Player Development
University of Connecticut
01.2014
Director of Player Development and Engagement, Football
University of Notre Dame
01.2012 - 01.2014
Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach
State University of New York at Buffalo
01.2010 - 01.2012
Director of Player Services
University of Cincinnati
01.2009 - 01.2010
Head Football Coach
Alcorn State University
01.2008 - 01.2009
Running Backs Coach
University of Cincinnati
01.2006 - 01.2007
Cornerbacks Coach
Central Michigan University
01.2005 - 01.2006
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach
Oberlin College
01.2003 - 01.2004
Instructor, First Year Experience and Defensive Backs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Kentucky State University
01.2002 - 01.2003
Defensive Backs Coach and Director of Multicultural Development
Concordia University
01.2000 - 01.2003
- National Incident Management System
- IS-100
- IS-200
- IS-700
- IS-800
- IS-2200
Doctor of Arts - Human Services, Administration
Walden University
Master of Arts - Human Services, Leadership
Concordia University (MN)
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Alcorn State University
Associates of Science - Applied Science
Hinds Community College
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