Longtime Broncos assistant coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Stan Jones died Friday night. He was 78.
Jones, who was living in Broomfield, was a defensive line coach during two stints with Denver for a total of 18 seasons, his last in 1988.
Jones was a fifth-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 1953 after a stellar career at Maryland. For the Terrapins, he was a two-way player for three seasons. He was a consensus All-America tackle his senior season and won the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy as the nation’s outstanding lineman.
He joined the Bears in 1954 and was immediately inserted into the starting lineup as an offensive tackle. He converted to guard in 1955.
Jones possessed size, quickness and strength. He was one of the first pro football players to concentrate on a weightlifting program. A good pass blocker and respected as a pulling guard, Jones was disciplined and dependable.
He missed only two games his first 11 seasons, was an All-NFL guard in 1955, 1956, 1959 and 1960 and played in seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 1955 through 1961. In 1962, Bears defensive coordinator George Allen utilized Jones on defense, making him one of the last “60-minute men” in the NFL.
Jones switched to defensive tackle permanently in 1963 and was part of an NFL championship team.
His last season was in 1966 with Washington.
In 1991, Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with Earl Campbell, John Hannah, Tex Schramm and Jan Stenerud. And in 2000, Stan was elected to the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame.
After his playing days, Jones joined Lou Saban’s staff with the Broncos, where he served as the team’s strength coach and defensive line coach.
After five seasons in Denver, he followed Saban to Buffalo in 1972.
Jones returned to the Broncos in 1976 and reunited with Joe Collier to help build the “Orange Crush” defense. He remained with the Broncos through the 1988 season.
Jones is preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Darlis, and is survived by his daughter, Sherrill; sons Kevin, Klea and Tony; and five grandchildren, Tory, Taylor, Tanner, Alfredo and Anthony.
A celebration of Jones’ life will be held June 4 at the National Western Stock Show Complex from 5-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, .
