The Locker Room July 23, 2010

Parents Meet New Coach

Cougar Head Football Coach Todd Jones continued to settle in to his new job last night as he met with the parents of the players at the Pulaski County High School Little Theater.   The event included introductions of his wife Meredith, who is will also be teaching at the school as a math teacher, and the couple’s two daughters, four year old Kylie and five year old Payton. 

"We feel extremely lucky to have Coach Jones and his family with us her in Pulaski County" said PCHS Principal Rod Reedy during his remarks before introducing Coach Jones.  "We are not only gaining a very good football coach and educator, but we feel like we are getting a solid role model for our kids and our community.  We welcome Coach Jones and his family back to the Pulaski community." 

After being introduced, Coach Jones thanks those who have helped make his transition an easy one.  "Mr. Reedy, Dr. Becker, Athletic Director Mark Hanks, and the rest of the Pulaski County staff have made this as easy as possible, and I can’t thank them enough for that" said Jones.  "Everyone from the secretaries at the school to the HR department have went out of their way to make myself and my family feel welcome and at ease.  That's one of the reasons we know this was the right decision.  This is where we want to raise our children, and this is where we want to be." 

There was also another group that Jones said had been a great help during this time for him.  "I can’t say enough about the assistant coaches, they have been great.  Pulaski County should be proud to have a group of men like them working with your children.  Because of them we have been able to hit the ground running.  They are staying, and I feel privileged to have them on my staff." 

When talking about the players and his expectations for the team, Coach Jones echoed some of the comments he made to his players on Wednesday.  "We are going to work hard, and that means on and off of the field.  Our goal is to build quality young men and to help prepare them for the future.  We want student athletes, and from looking at them we have a lot of that already.  Some of these kids are in governors school, some take advanced classes.  We want our players to be leaders on the field, but we also want them to be leaders in the classroom.  We will represent Pulaski County and this school with pride and honor." 

Coach Jones answered a question that has been on many peoples’ minds since his hiring as well.  "People have told me that Pulaski County is not the type of school that runs my offense.  Well after looking at the kids, I can tell you that our kids do have the skill and the attitude to run a spread offense.  I can’t tell you how many games we're going to win, and I know I won’t always call the play that everyone in the bleachers thinks I should run, but know that I and my staff will always give this our total effort.  These kids and this program want and need the support of the community.  I'm hoping that we'll see that when we take the field for that first time.  I know that Pulaski County will support its young men." 

Also present was new Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Becker.  "This community supports their youth.  That's why we are here tonight, to welcome back one of our own.  That sense of community is one of the things that brought my family here as well.  We are proud to have been a part of making this happen, and we look forward to those Friday nights getting started soon." 

Coach Jones will be heading back to finish up some things in Essex over the next few days, but a final meeting will be held next week to give people a chance to meet the new coach and welcome him on board.  That meeting will be held at the offices of the Southwest Times next week, but details are not final at this time.  Be sure to check back on Sunday for complete details on that meeting.