Jones previously worked as a defensive coordinator for Georgia Military College (1992–1996) and the Parma Panthers (1990) of the Italian Football League (IFL).
Jones played linebacker at the University of Tennessee, where he was a member of the 1985 "Sugar Vols" squad, and was a captain of the 1986 team.
After his family moved to Cleveland, Tennessee he attended Bradley Central High School, where he was twice named All-State at defensive end.
Working with long-time coach Bill Dupes, Jones led the TMI squad in tackles in 1981, and was a team captain.
[8] As part of a linebacker corps that included future NFL players Reggie McKenzie, Alvin Toles and Carl Zander, Jones opened the 1984 season with 12 tackles in Tennessee's 34–27 win over Washington State.
In the Vols' loss to Auburn, Jones stuffed running back Brent Fullwood at the one-yard line, causing a fumble and preventing a touchdown.
After Tennessee's star quarterback Tony Robinson left the game with an injury, Alabama seized the momentum and scored a touchdown to cut the lead to 16–14, and had driven into Tennessee territory for what would have been the go-ahead score, when Jones tipped a pass from quarterback Mike Shula and caught it as he fell to the ground for a drive-killing interception.
[17] In Tennessee's 6–6 tie against Georgia Tech on October 26, Jones batted away a 3rd-down pass by John Dewberry to force the Yellow Jackets to settle for a field goal early in the first quarter,[18] and was named "SEC Lineman of the Week" for his overall performance.
[20] In Tennessee's upset of Miami in the 1986 Sugar Bowl, Jones had 7 tackles as a part of a defensive effort that held the Hurricanes' high-scoring offense to just 7 points.
[21] He was named All-SEC, 3rd-team All-American and SEC defensive lineman of the year honors from the Atlanta Touchdown Club.
[22] Jones had 11 tackles (2 for minus yardage) and a fumble recovery in Tennessee's 21–14 victory over Minnesota in the 1986 Liberty Bowl, and was named the game's "Outstanding Defensive Player.
He is tied with Keith DeLong for seventh place in career solo tackles, and is fourth in tackles-for-loss behind Leonard Little, Reggie White and Eric Westmoreland.
"[3] Jones remains one of the best-known former Tennessee defenders, achieving what Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Mike Strange describes as "folk-hero status" among Vol fans.
[30] In a 2005 article, reporter John Painter wrote, "Mention Dale Jones is making an appearance in Knoxville and chances are it would resemble 'Jimmy Buffett Night' in Key West.
The following year, he was hired as defensive coordinator of the Italian League Parma Panthers, joining former high school and college teammate Chris White.
During Jones's initial tenure as defensive line coach, eight of his lineman moved on to play in the NFL, six received FCS All-American honors, and 15 were All-Southern Conference.
[45] On January 15, 2020, Appalachian State announced that Jones had agreed to return as defensive coordinator under new head coach Shawn Clark.