The day GHS football fans dreaded has come and gone. Rick Jones is no longer head coach of the Greenwood Bulldogs, the team he turned into a gridiron juggernaut, appearing in 11 state championship games in 16 years, winning eight titles.
Jones resigned last Friday, on Valentine’s Day, and the news spread rapidly over the weekend. But just as quickly the district’s administration and school board moved to fill the vacancy.
Last Wednesday night, in a special session called by the school board, Chris Young was named as Jones’ successor. Young was an assistant coach under Jones for the last 16 years and served as the team’s offensive coordinator since 2009.
Now 42, Young has spent nearly his entire coaching career at Greenwood and has been a part of all nine state championships dating back to 2000 under then head coach Ronnie Peacock.
“I always give Rick a hard time [because] I’ve got more rings (nine) than he does from Greenwood,” Young explained with a chuckle. Jones also won a state title in Oklahoma, giving him nine overall as well.
Young was a junior high football coach in 2000 and assisted the varsity staff in the post-season. Since then he has grown along with the program, becoming a varsity assistant coach before taking over the reigns of the offense as coordinator. In addition, he coached girls’ and boys’ soccer for 13 years.
The new GHS head coach also comes from coaching royalty. His mother (Catherine) and father (Joe Fred) were both coaches. His dad, now retired, was very successful at Fort Smith Northside, taking the Grizzlies to eight state title games with his young son close by his side.
Altogether, the newly promoted Top Dog has been on the sideline for 20 state championship football games in his 42 years. That’s got to be some kind of a record.
Young is also married to wife Kelly, a GHS graduate and former high school basketball star who now teaches physical education at Westwood Elementary.
The couple has two children, a boy, Cooper, and girl, Kenzie. Several other family members were in attendance for Wednesday’s announcement.
The meeting was held at the district’s administration building. About 100 people were present, including fellow coaches, several players, board members, administrators, and other interested parents, fans, and area media representatives.
After the board briefly went into executive session to consider several resignations and other personnel matters, they returned to announce the results, which included accepting the resignation of Coach Jones and the promotion of Coach Young.
Athletic Director Dr. Dustin Smith then spoke briefly, making the coaching change official before turning the floor over to Dr. Cody Chatman. The GHS principal spoke highly of his close friend and fellow administrator, introducing Young to the assembled crowd.
A math teacher early in his career, Young has been serving as the high school’s assistant principal but now leaves that position to take over his head coaching duties. Additional personnel moves will be required to fill the two roles previously held by Young.
Young is a 1995 graduate of Northside High School in Fort Smith. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, and his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Harding University in Searcy.
Making the announcement official, Athletic Director Smith reminded his listeners of the great legacy left behind by Coach Jones, adding, “We had the task of finding somebody to carry on that tradition and build upon [it].”
“Chris [Young] has been a staple,” Smith continued. “A lot of people know him from a variety of roles here, [and] his passion for our kids is unmatched.”
Young was hired at Greenwood in 2000 by Ronnie Peacock, who lead the Bulldogs to their first state championship that same year. Peacock then left to become head coach at Rogers, but not before igniting a passion for winning football in Greenwood and a wide-open offensive style of play.
Harv Welch of Missouri led the Bulldogs for the next three seasons, all winning campaigns, but the program really took off in 2004 with the arrival of Jones, who guided the Bulldogs to the state title game in each of his first four seasons, winning three consecutive championships (2005-07).
“My dad was a successful head coach, my mom was a successful head coach, and I’ve learned a lot from them and how they handled student athletes,” Young said when asked about his family heritage.
“This is something that I’ve wanted for a long time,” admitted Young. “Obviously, I was very happy working for Rick, and with our staff, but I’m very excited about taking over this program and [continuing] what Coach Jones and our staff has started, and just look for ways to improve our program.”
Asked if it was intimidating to follow such a revered coach, Young said, “It is in the fact that you know the expectations we place on ourselves [at Greenwood]. We expect to win and to compete and represent the community in the right way, and we’re going to continue to do those things.
“We’re going to look for ways to do things better and we’re excited about the future. We’re going to continue offensively to do the same things. Coach [Jason] Gill and our defensive staff are the best there is, and Coach [Nathan] Staton with special teams.
“You’re going to see the same product on the field. Obviously, there will be some changes that fit my personality, but we will be very similar. I‘ve learned from the best for the last 16 years and we’ll put that knowledge to good use,” he said.
Asked about the process that led to his becoming head coach, Young added, “There had been some conversations in the past about some opportunities here when and if Coach Jones moved on, so when [he] left on Friday, Dr. Smith reached out to me and came over and visited.
“Then on Monday I met with the administrative staff and the board recommended me tonight. It was very quick in a football timeline, but it’s been a long couple of days, I promise you that,” said Young.
“We’re just thrilled. There’s not a better job in the state. There’s not a better group of kids or parents, and the way the community supports us is unbelievable.”
Asked about the vacancy on his staff, Young said, “That’s obviously something we’re going to get started on in a hurry,” indicating that he would look to his current staff first to fill the offensive coordinator’s position before looking elsewhere.
“There’s a lot of interest in coaching at Greenwood High School. We will find a great football coach. I’m not sure what position and what title at this point, but we will find somebody that will make us even better. We’ve got a great staff and we may move those guys around some.”
Asked about the most important thing he learned from Coach Jones, Young did not hesitate in giving his answer. “His organization. Even in this I think he had a plan for one day when he left. He gave us different responsibilities and shifted some things our direction to help prepare me and our staff for this moment.”
Despite the coaching change, the influence of Coach Jones will continue to be felt at Greenwood High School for a long time to come, according to his successor.
“Coach Jones and I talk on a regular basis and will continue to do so,” said Young. “He is very important to me and I’ll lean on him heavily during this process and in the future.”