Jones deserves credit for SHS success on field

Football coaches typically aren’t guys who need pats on the back. Most are pretty confident individuals and don’t need reassurance from anyone.

If I had to guess, Starkville head coach Chris Jones is one of those kind of guys. He has always struck me as a guy that knows exactly what he’s doing and doesn’t rely on anyone else’s stamp of approval.

That’s OK. I’m going to give him mine anyway. Chris Jones is one heck of a football coach, and regardless of how far he leads the Yellowjackets in the playoffs this year, Starkville is sure lucky to have Jones.

Everyone was pretty sure Jones was a good football coach prior to him being hired at Starkville earlier this year. Jones led Kemper County to the Class 3A State championship last year. This was a Kemper County team that went 1-10 the year before Jones took over the program in 2012. Jones took Kemper County from the cellar to the top of the mountain.

Now, he’s working his magic in Starkville. A year after missing the playoffs, the Jackets captured the Class 6A, Region 2 championship last Friday with a 21-15 win over Clinton.

Maybe some are surprised by Starkville’s sudden turnaround. Those who have been around Jones, and especially those who play for him, aren’t shocked in the least.

“Coach Jones is one of the greatest to ever do what he does in my eyes,” Starkville senior wide receiver Cameron Hines said. “He works with us every day. He even practices with us himself to make us better. We love him.”

What’s not to love? Aside from his winning ways, Jones takes the hit for his players too.

Last Friday, Starkville was struggling mightily in the first half. The Jackets couldn’t get out of their own way. There were several ugly fumbles. The offense was sputtering.

Who took the blame? Jones did.

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