By Gary Thomas 

On Oct. 22, south Alabama’s coaching icon, Brantley Bulldogs head coach Roland Jones, Jr., announced that he would be stepping down from the AHSAA coaching ranks. 

“After 35 years of coaching, it’s time for me to spend time with my family,” Jones said. “On Fridays and Sunday afternoons, I haven’t been there for 35 years, and it’s just the right timing.”

A Brantley alumnus, Jones graduated from Brantley in 1986 after receiving a golf scholarship. 

He attended Lurleen B. Wallace Community College where he played on the golf team for two years. He returned to Brantley in 1990, serving as offensive line coordinator under his father Roland Jones, Sr. 

In 1993 he helped guide the Bulldogs to a 1A state championship. That year, the Bulldogs went 15 to 0 and beat West Jefferson 36-0 to win the title. He then became an assistant coach at Ariton High School before becoming head football coach at Crenshaw Christian Academy. 

The Cougars went 83 to 30 in 10 years under his leadership and made eight playoff appearances.

But in 2018, he returned to Brantley, where his teams had 65 wins and 20 losses over a seven-year span. Jones’ best season at Brantley was in 2021, when the Bulldogs finished at 13-1 with their only loss being a 21-18 setback to the Sweetwater Bulldogs in the AHSAA semifinal game. 

Jones said he looks forward to having more time with his wife, Tonya, daughter Olivia and son Carson. He also expects to keep working with schools in some capacity.

“I’m just retiring from football coaching right now,” Jones said. “And then, I’m just going to see what comes available. I’m still going to be with the school system for now.”

In his 17 years of being a head coach, Jones, teams won 148 times and lost 50.

But there is one thing about Coach Jones. It’s that he was a players’ coach. He loved his players and they would run through a brick wall for him. 

Brantley‘s sidelines on Friday won’t be the same without him. Good luck on your golf game coach, you’re definitely a winner.