Prime Time
Moody College of Communication spring commencement takes place Friday, May 19 at 3:30 p.m. in the Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River St. and features an address from alumnus Brian Jones, former NFL linebacker and co-host of the national morning program, “Gio and Jones,” with Gregg Giannotti on CBS Sports Radio. The ceremonies will also be webcast live.
“As someone that aspired to be an actor as well as a sports broadcaster, attaining a communication degree was monumental in my efforts to achieve those goals,” said Jones. “In my estimation, a degree from one of the most prestigious communication schools in the world provides a myriad of opportunities in the arena of sports and beyond.”
Jones’ show is broadcast across the airwaves of the nation’s largest 24/7 major-market radio network. In addition to his work at CBS Sports Radio, Jones is also a college football studio analyst for CBS Sports and the CBS Sports Network. He brings a wealth of football knowledge to the network and is featured in a variety of studio shows including “College Football Today” on CBS and “Inside College Football” on the CBS Sports Network.
Following a five-year NFL career spent with the Indianapolis Colts in 1991 and New Orleans Saints from 1995 to 1998, Jones returned to Texas to begin his sports broadcasting career. He hosted a daily radio show on Sports Radio 1300-AM The Zone, served as the Longhorn Sports Network’s sideline reporter for all UT Austin football games and hosted Longhorn Sports Center with Mack Brown and Rick Barnes. He also spent two years with Fox Sports Southwest.
Jones said his message to students is two-fold.
“The same perseverance and determination utilized to attain that degree will be necessary to navigate life from here forward. Those identical tools employed to arrive at this momentous moment, were instrumental in setting the foundation for the rest of your life. Rely on them again and again,” said Jones. “Lastly, you define you. Not society. Do not allow societal norms to restrict you from becoming the best that you can become.”
Jones graduated with a degree in corporate communication from Moody College. At Texas, he was an All-Southwest Conference linebacker during his senior year in 1990 and led the Longhorns with 116 tackles including 71 solo and five forced fumbles, helping Texas to a 10-2 record. Jones grew up in Lubbock, Texas, and currently resides in Wellington, Fla., and Weehawken, N.J.
