Standout Starkville High School football coach Chris Jones has been elevated to the junior college ranks.
On Monday, officials with Hinds Community College announced that Jones has been tabbed to be the Bulldogs’ new frontman following the departure of Larry Williams, who recently took the same position at Coahoma Community College.
Jones boasts an eye-popping 129-37 overall coaching record over his 12 years at the high school level. He has led Starkville High School to three Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) state championship appearances —2017, 2022 and 2023. He consistently had the Yellowjackets in the postseason and produced multiple athletes who competed at the next level.
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.
“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 Hinds 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 Hinds family.”
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.
After leaving Jackson State, Jones had stints in professional football, including with the Minnesota Vikings (2005-06) and Seattle Seahawks (2007), as well as the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders (2008-09) and the Arena Football League’s Kansas City Brigade (2008).
“We were fortunate to have some truly exceptional finalists for head football coach at Hinds, but Chris stood out as the leader who will take Hinds football to the next level,” 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.”
As Jones begins his tenure in Raymond, Starkville High School will search for his replacement.
