Former NFL wide receiver and Lane College graduate Jacoby Jones has been hired as an assistant coach for the Dragons’ football team.

Jones will coach wide receivers. Lane College football coach and athletic director Derrick Burroughs confirmed the hire Tuesday afternoon.

“Actually, I tried to get him two years ago,” Burroughs said. “I don’t know if he was ready to get into coaching then. We just want to get this thing turned around and I think he’s a great addition to our staff and I think he’ll do very well.”

The Dragons finished the 2017 season 2-8.

Jones arrived at Lane College in 2003 after transferring from Southeast Louisiana State. He played for the Dragons for three years before being drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft.

Over his nine-year career, Jones had 203 receptions for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had five kickoff returns for touchdowns and four punt returns for touchdowns.

One of Jones’ most notable plays came during Super Bowl XLVII. Jones returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34-31. He also caught a 56-yard touchdown pass. Jones finished the contest with a Super Bowl record 290 total yards.

Jones officially retired in September. He retired as a member of the Ravens, surrounded by coach John Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome.

He also competed on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars television show.

“I think it’s great for Lane College but more than that, I think it’s great for our kids because Jacoby came from the same crooked straights our kids came from,” Burroughs said. “And they can kind of look at him every day and say, ‘You know what, if Jacoby can make it, so can I.’ ”