Entering his fifth year in the NFL, Travis Jones will work with defensive line coach Bill Johnson in continuing to develop a talented defensive front. Known for his dedication to the fundamentals and his teaching skills, Jones begins his second season in New Orleans.

Last season, the Saints weathered injuries to the defensive line throughout the season, but the unit accounted for 22 sacks while meshing the talents of both veterans and rookies, including new players such as sack-leader Bobby McCray at defensive end and No. 1 pick Sedrick Ellis at defensive tackle.

Prior to arriving in New Orleans, Jones spent three seasons with the Miami Dolphins, his first year as assistant defensive line coach and his final two seasons tutoring the outside linebackers and defensive ends.

During his tenure with the Dolphins, the defensive line recorded 92 sacks, DE Jason Taylor was selected to the Pro Bowl each year and was named the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The Dolphins ranked second in the league in sacks in 2005 and third in 2006.

Before arriving in Miami, Jones spent 2003-04 at LSU, where he was the defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator. In his first season, the Tigers’ defensive front recorded 31 of the team’s school-record 44 sacks, while also limiting opponents to 67 yards rushing per game – ranking third in the nation and first in the SEC.

At LSU, Jones coached a defensive front that featured DT Chad Lavalais, a consensus All-American, finalist for the Nagurski and Lombardi Awards and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Following the 2003 season, Lavalais and teammate DE Marquise Hill were selected in the NFL Draft. DE Marcus Spears was also named All-SEC in 2003 and was a consensus All-American in 2004. Spears was a No. 1 pick by Dallas in 2005.

Prior to his stint at LSU, Jones served as defensive line coach at the University of Kansas from 2001-02. There he developed the skills of Nate Dwyer, an All-Big 12 selection in 2001 and a fourth-round choice by Arizona in 2002. From 1998-2000, Jones was the linebackers coach/recruiting coordinator at Appalachian State (1998-2000).

In 1997, Jones opened his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Georgia, where he worked with the defensive line, including a pair of freshmen in Richard Seymour and Marcus Stroud.

Jones brings the added perspective of having played on the defensive front. He was a four-year letter-winner (1990-92, 94) as a defensive lineman for the Bulldogs and served as a defensive captain as a senior. He graduated in 1995 and earned a master’s degree from the school in 1998.

Jones played one season with the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League in 1995 and then joined the Florida Bobcats of the Arena League in 1996. A native of Irwinton, Ga., for the last four years he has held a football camp for youngsters in central Georgia that teaches the fundamentals of football, sportsmanship and the importance of goal-setting to serve them on and off the field.

Jones and his wife, Melody, have two daughters, Kennedi and Averi.