Justin Jones, CCHS head varsity track and field coach and defensive coordinator, stands in the Competition Gym for Spring Sports Media Day on Feb. 4th. Jones started his career off at Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia, and after working at CCHS for seven years, has accepted a job as an administrator back at his old stomping grounds. “I grew up in Carrollton, so I have a lot of family and friends there, and it was a tough place to leave,” Jones said. “It was a great opportunity for my family and myself back then. So, we took a leap of faith and we’ve had some success and it’s been really good.” Photo by Aza Khan
Justin Jones, defensive coordinator and CCHS head track and field coach, reflects on his seven-year tenure at CCHS.
Sports Staffer Michael Campbell: What has it been like being a coach for the past seven years at CCHS?
CCHS head track and field coach Justin Jones: Career-wise, there has been growth. Obviously, we’ve had successes on the field and on the track, and we also have had some disappointments. It’s truly been a learning experience, not only professionally but personally.
MC: What are some things you’ve seen change throughout your time here between superintendents, principals, teachers, and students?
JJ: Obviously, with different leadership, you have different expectations. I know since I’ve been here, (we’ve had) (former CCSD Superintendents) Dr. Phil Lanoue and Dr. Demond Means, Dr. Xernona Thomas, and now (current CCSD Superintendent) Dr. Robbie P. Hooker as superintendent. Each and every one of them brought different qualities to the table in how they wanted things done, and the same thing with our leadership at the school level. When I first came to Athens, I was interviewed by Dr. Hooker, then I had (former CCHS Principal) Ms. Marie Yuran take over, and then we’ve fortunately had Dr. Swade Huff for the past several years. Seeing the different expectations from the district level and then the different expectations from the school level, those things have changed. Then obviously, the students and how we’ve been impacted by the pandemic (changed). Students come in before the pandemic and then just the differences of them being out of school (versus) being in the school building. So those are some of the things that I’ve seen that I’ve seen over the years as I’ve been here.
Clarke Central High School head track and field coach and defensive coordinator Justin Jones talks to the defense on Aug. 6th during the opening scrimmage against North Oconee High School. Jones has accepted a job as an administrator at Carrollton and wants to be more than just a man and a suit but someone the students can lean on. “I’m going to have to make a more sincere effort to have relationships with the students because you don’t have them in your classes anymore. So meeting them in the hallways, extracurricular activities, all those things just to make sure the students just don’t see me in the suit or just a base in the building,¨ Jones said. Photo by Lucas Donnelly
MC: Can you talk about the process of coming to CCHS?
JJ: I got a text from a friend of mine who I had worked with on a previous football staff. He asked me if I would be interested in interviewing for the defensive coordinator position (at CCHS) and I was like, ‘Of course.’ Shortly after that, I got a call from (CCHS head varsity football coach) David Perno, and we talked. He basically asked me what I needed. As a coach, at that particular time, I didn’t need anything. I wanted an opportunity to coach, be able to run a defense, have some people under me, and put them in the right direction. And once I said I (didn’t) need anything, it was an opportunity. We came up, met, and hit it off. We’ve had some really good players football-wise here, each and every year that I’ve been here that can make your job a lot easier as a coach, that’s how football started. Then springtime was coming around and there wasn’t a (boys) head coach for track and field. I have a huge track and field background, so I was fortunate enough to be able to slide into the track and field position. Then the next season after that I took over the girls job as well.
MC: Seeing Dr. Huff and our administration, do you think you have an insight into being an administrator?
JJ: Being in a classroom, you have different classes and you have interaction with the students and each class takes on its own personality. I know that’s going to be an adjustment for me. I’m going to have to make a more sincere effort to have relationships with students because you don’t have them in your classes anymore. So, (I will be) meeting them in the hallways, in extracurricular activities, all those things, just to make sure the students just don’t (only) see me in the suit or just a guy in the building. I do want to be recognized by our students, and then be able to support teachers.
Clarke Central High School head track and field coach and former defensive coordinator Justin Jones talks to former Clarke Central High School student Justin Hodges on March 4, 2020, at Mountainview High School track meet. Jones has balanced coaching both track and football during his seven years at CCHS and is now stepping out of coaching and into an administrative role at Carrolton High School. “I’ll miss (CCHS). I’ll miss Athens. We’re definitely gonna be here to visit on several occasions so hopefully I’ll be able to see friends and be able to just to catch up hopefully so that I’ll be positive,” Jones said. Photo by the UGA Sports Media Team
MC: What do you want the Clarke Central community to take away from your time here?
JJ: Hopefully the impact is a positive impact when you say Coach Jones he had a positive impact on me, whatever the case may be, just make sure you continue to work because, we’re always gonna have obstacles that we got to face and I just want people to continue and face their obstacles and continue to move forward because, you know, life goes on, even with our ups and downs.
MC: What legacy do you hope to leave at Clarke Central?
JJ: There is no substitute for hard work and that’s one of the things I hope I leave here the legacy. You’re not gonna get the results that you want if you’re not working. That’s one of the quotes that I try to apply in my life you can’t get upset about the results you don’t get for the work that you haven’t put in. That’s what you need in life. During school, work, and relationships you can’t get upset for the results you don’t get for the work you have put in.
MC: How do you feel about leaving the school?
JJ: I’ll miss Clarke Central. I´ll miss Athens. We’re definitely gonna be here to visit on several occasions so hopefully I’ll be able to see friends and be able to just catch up hopefully so that I’ll be positive.
