During the Board of Education meeting on March 6, the board approved the appointment of Jimmy Jones as Freeport High School varsity football head coach. Mr. Jones takes over as head coach following the retirement of head coach Russ Cellan.
“Jimmy Jones has all the coaching skills and knowledge to lead our athletes to achieve even greater success and the personal values and characteristics to serve as their role model,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kishore Kuncham said. “From a very early age, he has always dreamed of becoming the varsity football head coach. Now that dream has become a reality. I would also like to thank Russ Cellan for serving for three decades as the varsity football coach before his retirement.”
Mr. Jones has more than 20 years of football coaching experience, coaching at all levels including middle school, junior varsity, varsity and college level. Prior to joining the Freeport coaching staff, Mr. Jones played football at Freeport High School, where he was named captain. He went on to earn a Division I football scholarship to Hofstra University, where he was also named captain.
“Jimmy Jones is a hometown guy who came up through the system. He’s been part of the Freeport football program since he started playing in middle school,” Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics Johnathan Bloom said. “It has been a huge part of his life. He’s well prepared to take on this new role and we couldn’t be more excited to see him take this next step in his athletic coaching career.”
Mr. Jones has been a dedicated and highly valued varsity football assistant coach at Freeport High School for the past 17 years, providing leadership as the defensive coordinator and working with the running backs, linebackers, defensive backs, and wide receivers. He also participated in professional development, having attended many football coaching conferences and workshops, including several national high school football conferences.
“To have worn the Freeport ‘F’ as a player and now as the head coach of the varsity football program is an amazing feeling,” Mr. Jones said. “I am looking forward to continuing to give back to the community that has given so much to me.”