Former Mississippi State assistant reacts to passing of P.J. Jones
By SDS Staff
Published:
The news of P.J. Jones’ passing hit the Mississippi State community, even former members of the Bulldog family, hard on Wednesday.
Former MSU defensive line coach David Turner, who coached Jones for two seasons (2014, ’15), shared his reaction on Twitter.
“As a coach, the same as a parent, you never want to hear that one of your former players has passed! You’re in a better place PJ! #NothingButLove93” Turner wrote.
Turner, now the defensive line coach at Florida, had two stints at MSU from 2007-09 and 2013-15. Jones was a Bulldogs defensive lineman from 2011-14.
Jones had been reported missing four days ago. On Monday, authorities recovered his body from a Lee County lake and confirmed his identity via fingerprints. According to Mississippi media’s reports on Wednesday, police did not suspect foul play in Jones’ death.
The Tupelo native appeared in 45 games, including 27 starts. Over those four seasons, the defensive tackle recorded 81 tackles (including 4 for a loss) and 2 sacks along with a forced fumble. As a senior, he was named MSU’s defensive player of the week for his performance in the Bulldogs’ upset win over then-No. 8 LSU on Sept. 20, 2014.
Jones reportedly last contacted family members on Jan. 20. He was 27.
As a coach, the same as a parent, you never want to hear that one of your former players has passed! You’re in a better place PJ! #NothingButLove93
— David W. Turner (@coachdt48) February 13, 2020
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
