Football: Former Smithfield coach Jones takes over at King's Fork

SUFFOLK

Joe Jones has been named the new head football coach at King’s Fork High School.

Jones, 45, replaces Cecil Phillips who is leaving to take the head coaching position at Amherst County High School. Phillips had been the only football coach in the school’s four-year history. After a 0-10 inaugural season, the Bulldogs have gone 3-7, 4-6 and 6-4 this past season.

Jones has more than 20 years of coaching experience. He coached at Windsor, Franklin and Smithfield. He stepped down after the 2001 season because of “burnout” and to spend more time with his family. But he hasn’t been away all that time as he served as a volunteer assistant at Windsor the last two seasons.

He and his family talked about it and they all felt this was a good opportunity to return to the game that he loves.

“They know other than God and them, my love is football,” he said. “And being a way from it has refueled me. I go into it this time with a whole refreshed perspective about it. Football is not my life. It’s part of my life and I’m looking forward to this chance.”

Jones said he doesn’t feel any pressure. He joked with Phillips that his taking over program like Amherst – which has won back-to-back state titles – is pressure.

“I just want to try to continue building on the foundation that he has there,” Jones said. “And I have the utmost respect for coach Phillips who led them to their first winning season last year. Now it’s time to take the program to the next step.”

King’s Fork athletic director Randy Jessee said he’s glad to have Jones aboard.

“He’s coached at Franklin, Windsor and Smithfield, and has been successful at all three places,” Jessee said. “I actually coached against him when I was at Southampton. I liked how disciplined his kids were and how respectful they were. We think he’s going to do a good job.”