You won’t find Jay Jones’ name emblazoned as the namesake of any buildings at Jones County High School.
Neither will one find his name listed as a head coach of any sport. But for the last 25 years as assistant coach, notably in football and baseball, Jones has poured in time and energy for Greyhound student-athletes, often behind the scenes and out of the public eye.
So, it was a bit out of the ordinary after Friday’s game against Eagles Landing that, when a previously-announced video of the stadium’s video board began playing, that it was a tribute to Jones as the presentation revealed that the long-time Jones County coach will be retiring after this year following 25 years of coaching.
“I’m just so humbled and blessed. It takes a lot of people to make things happen here on Friday night in Jones County, and I’m just so blessed,” Jones said. “It’s never been about the wins and losses for me, but it’s been about the relationships that I’ve been able to develop over the past 25 years.”
Friday was hardly a quick announcement and slipping off into the darkness. Instead, as Jones, standing with members of his family, looked on, a tribute video of more than 10 minutes began to play, filled with messages of appreciation and thanks from current and former Greyhound coaches and players. Current coaches such as Mike Chastain and Will Conner were among them, but joining in as well were those who coached with Jones through the years ,such as former head football coach Justin Rogers and even players who Jones previously coached, like current Georgia tight ends coach Todd Hartley as well as Torrez Finney, Drake Bolus, Drew Jones, Brooks Veal and John Alan Richter.
“Every word that was said in that video, there was not a lie told. You can’t find a single person that’s been around Jay Jones to say something negative,” said Jones County athletic director Chad Alligood, who also went to college with Jones.
“He’s just a guy that you know you can call a true friend that you know you can trust. I love his saying, ‘don’t walk past work.’ I don’t think people realize all that Jay Jones does behind the scenes.”
