LORMAN — New Alcorn State head football coach Ernest T. Jones will not only be making his debut this summer as the Braves football coach, but he will also be making his debut as an NFL coach — even if it is only an internship.

July 20-Aug. 3 Jones will join other collegiate coaches at the Houston Texans training camp, participating in a coaching internship.

“I’m very excited,” Jones said. “Not only for myself, but for the university. It’s a new day around here. We’re raising the bar.”

Jones said this year’s internship will not only be new to him, but the way in which the Texans run the internship will be different.

“I’m going to work with the offense. Normally they pick with you and you work with one position,” Jones said. “This is the first year they’ve done that.”

Jones said he wasn’t quite sure how or why he was selected, but acknowledged that he must have impressed the right people.

“In this business they tell you if you do a good job, they’ll see you,” Jones said. “I must be doing something right.”

Alcorn State’s athletic director Dr. Darren Hamilton also acknowledged the positive exposure Jones’ internship will bring to the university.

“You’ve got to understand that that’s the best kind of marketing, the kind you don’t have to pay for,” Hamilton said. “More importantly, we’ve got to be sure we do whatever we can to promote the institution, athletic success programs and academic success programs.”

Not only does Hamilton expect the internship to help bring the Braves publicity, he also expects Jones’ participation to help with recruiting because “every kid — realistically and unrealistically — believes they have an opportunity to go to The League if they go to a Division I school.”

Hamilton also believes Jones’ involvement with the internship is a testament not only of the coaches’ character, but of the university’s as well.

Jones agreed the internship should help with not only recruiting kids in Texas, but also players in the Magnolia State.

“It lets the students in this state know I’m a quality guy,” Jones said. “(The experience) can only help Alcorn State.”

Although Alcorn State’s summer drills officially being August 1, Jones said he doesn’t expect the internship to interfere with the beginning of summer practices and he should be back on campus by then.

Jones said he was unsure if any of his former players are currently on the Texans’ roster. However, the chance of working with a player he coached against last year while at Cincinnati excites Jones.

Former West Virginia running back Steve Slaton was selected by the Texans in the third round of the 2008 draft and will be one of the players Jones will be in charge of coaching.

“I’m excited about going out there and working with him,” Jones said. “He’s a dynamic tailback.”

Texans running backs coach Chick Harris is in charge of the internship program and could not be reached for comment.