Two weeks ago, a report circulated claiming Mike Locksley had hired Butch Jones to be part of his first staff at Maryland.

During a media availability Wednesday, Locksley said that isn’t entirely true.

“I haven’t signed Butch up to a contract just yet,” the current Alabama offensive coordinator told reporters head of the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl.

It makes sense for Locksley to hire Jones, with whom he has worked closely this season. Jones has served as an offensive analyst for the Crimson Tide since the spring after getting fired from Tennessee at the end of last season.

Locksley was complimentary of Jones, saying he aligns with his “big-picture thoughts” and that having a former head coach on his staff is a huge plus.

“Having guys like Butch, if he were to come on board, or any of these guys that have had head coaching experience, I think when you’re bouncing around thoughts, bouncing around ideas, that it’s good to have somebody that’s had the opportunity to be in that position and to help you maybe make the right choices,” Locksley said.

It sounds like Locksley wants Jones to be a part of his staff, and while an agreement for that may be in place, nothing is official at the moment.