By Wil Crews
sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com
Prattville High School Defensive Coordinator Justin Jones has been hired as the new head football coach at Beauregard High School.
Jones was a guest on the “On the Mark” radio show Wednesday morning and discussed his new job with the Hornets.
“My family and I are thrilled to become apart the Beauregard Community,” Jones said. “I look forward to starting Thursday, after our press conference today.”
Jones replaces former Beauregard Athletic Director and head football coach Rob Carter, who spent seven seasons with Beauregard, posting a 51-27 record (29-13 in region, 9-3 in playoffs) before accepting the head coaching job at Sylacauga High School last month.
Jones comes to Beauregard having spent just one season as the defensive coordinator at 7A Prattville. Helmed by Jones, the Lions defense held opponents to 18.5 points per game in 2020 – limiting teams to 14 or fewer points on six occasions.
Before Prattville, Jones spent the 2019 season as the head coach at Cordova High School. He took over a one-win team from 2018 and led them to a 5-6 record and a first-round appearance in the 5A state playoffs. Cordova started the season 0-5 before ripping off five straight wins to clinch a playoff berth.
Prior to that, Jones spent 2014-18 as the head coach at 3A New Brockton High School. His time with the Gamecocks was successful, leading them to a 34-22 overall record, making the playoffs in each of his five seasons. Jones’ teams averaged scoring just over 33 points per game while allowing just under 20. In 2016, he helped lead New Brockton to its first playoff game win since 1999.
Before taking over at New Brockton, Jones was an assistant coach at Enterprise in 2013. An Enterprise High School graduate, Jones played college football at West Alabama. His first coaching job was as assistant coach at New Brockton from 2003-05. In 2005, he accepted a position as assistant coach and strength and conditioning coach at Enterprise. Jones remained there until 2011 when he accepted his first head coaching job at 1A Florala High School, posting an 8-12 record in his two seasons there.