Willie Jones is in his sixth season on the strength staff for the Illinois football team in 2021. Jones currently serves as Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Jones came to Champaign in April 2016 after seven seasons with the Nebraska football team. He started in Lincoln in 2009 and assisted in all of the day-to-day operations of the Huskers’ strength and conditioning program.

Jones started his coaching career at his alma mater South Dakota State, where he spent two years as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach from 2007-09.

Jones earned his bachelor's degree in health promotion from South Dakota State in 2007 and his master's degree in sport science from the school in May 2012. Jones was a three-year letterman for the Jackrabbit football team from 2002-06.

Jones is a member of the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association and a certified strength and conditioning coach.

Jones and his wife, Andrea, were married in May of 2013 and have three children, Krayton, Asher, Everly. His son, Cameron, is a high school football student-athlete.