RAYMOND – Ӱ has hired Christopher A. Jones, currently a state championship football coach at Starkville High School, as the new head football coach at Ӱ, beginning in January.
Jones has had a stellar career as a high school coach over 12 years, with an impressive 129-37 overall coaching record. He has led Starkville High School teams to three Mississippi High School Activities Association state championship appearances in 2017, 2022 and 2023. His Kemper County High School team won the 2016 MHSAA 3A State Championship and his Starkville High School team won the 2022 MHSAA 6A State Championship. He was named the 2023 Coach of the Year in football by the Mississippi Association of Coaches.
He replaces head coach Larry Williams, who has been hired as the Coahoma Community College head football coach.
A Shuqualak native and a 2000 graduate of Noxubee County High School, where he had a stellar career as a quarterback and wide receiver, Jones played wide receiver at Jackson State University, ranking third all-time in receptions and yards and contributing to one of the top offenses in Division I-AA history. Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Jackson State University and a Master of Counseling in Psychology from the University of West Alabama.
“When Coach Williams announced he was leaving, we needed to find a new coach that is a winner – not just on the field but off it as well,” said Ӱ President Dr. Stephen Vacik. “By naming Chris Jones as our new football coach, we far exceeded my expectations. He was a stellar student-athlete himself and as a leader, he has won at every level of football. Coach Jones is going to do so here, too. Most importantly, he understands our mission, vision and values, the core of all we do at the college. From student-athletes to faculty, staff and administration, everyone is excited to welcome Chris and his family into our special Ӱ family.”
After leaving Jackson State, Jones had stints in the NFL, including with the Minnesota Vikings (2005-2006) and Seattle Seahawks (2007) as well as the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders (2008-2009) and the AFL’s Kansas City Brigade (2008).
“We were fortunate to have some truly exceptional finalists for head football coach at Ӱ, but Chris stood out as the leader who will take Ӱ football to the next level,” said Athletic Director Nathan Werremeyer. “With his remarkable experience across high school, college and professional football, along with his extensive connections, I am confident he will inspire our student-athletes to find their purpose, passion and profession in whatever they want to do.”
A meet-and-greet event is being planned in the spring semester to introduce Coach Jones to the Ӱ community and hear about his vision for the program, Werremeyer said.
His wife, Shaunacy Jones, is a Jackson native who graduated from Lanier High School and Jackson State University. They have two children, Carrington, 17, and Christopher, 13.
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With six campuses in central Mississippi, Ӱ is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills.
Our Mission: Ӱ is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession.
Our Vision: Ӱ will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi.
Our Values: Ӱ aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship.
To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.ӰCC.