Since being hired as the Greyhounds’ head baseball coach in the early part of the summer, the path of putting things in place to get ready for next season has been ongoing for Noble Coley.
How up to speed is Coley getting with the lifestyle of living in Gray? He noted during last Thursday’s meet-and-greet event that he probably goes to Ingles Supermarket about once per day.
“I can’t stay out of that place,” the Greyhounds new head coach said with a quip.
Food and grocery needs aside, last Thursday served as a chance for players, parents and community stakeholders to meet him in person. Coley had previously met his players shortly after his hiring.
Coley comes to Jones County after guiding Bacon County for the past six seasons as head coach to a pair of Sweet 16 berths and an Elite 8.
“I’ve made a commitment to be here. I moved my family three hours away. We didn’t move here not to be successful. We’re here to win, and we’re going to work extremely hard.”
Jones County Schools athletic director Chad Alligood said that, while five coaches were interviewed for the baseball head coaching job, settling on Coley was an easy decision.
“Baseball knowledge-wise, all five would have been a good fit. They were winners and had won, but there was no doubt when Coach Coley left the room, that he was the guy,” Alligood said. “We made things work out for Coach Coley to get here, and it was blessing.”
On Thursday in the JCHS cafeteria, Coley shared info about himself, laid out his vision for the program and also spent time meeting those form the community.
“We’re only moving one direction, and that’s forward,” Coley said. “We have a choice to make each day. We can only get better or worse. If you move backward, you’re not getting better.”
Part of that move forward, Coley said, is elevating the program to greater heights.
“Back when I was growing up in Hawkinsville, before you had the HoCos, Jones County was what you heard about,” Coley said. “It’s time to put Jones County back on the map and have that standard again.”
