What High School did you attend?
Joplin High School
What College did you attend?
Southern Arkansas University and Missouri Southern State University
Athletic and Coaching Background:
Athletics: Played baseball, football and basketball at Joplin High School. Played under Missouri Sports Hall of Fame coach Joe Ketchum at Joplin High School. Selected 1st team All-Conference and All-District Team as an outfielder junior year and first baseman senior season.
At the collegiate level I played baseball at Southern Arkansas under Coach Steve Goodheart and at Missouri Southern State University under Missouri Sports Hall of fame coach, Warren Turner. Played outfield and first base.
Entering 21st year of coaching. Beginning 2nd year as Head Baseball Coach McAuley Catholic High School. Coached High School football at McAuley in 2013 and 2014. Coached baseball at youth, high school and college showcase levels.
Coaching Achievement or Awards:
2012 and 2013 Missouri State High School Legion District Champions. 2012 and 2013 Missouri State High School Legion State Runner up at Joplin High School. Majors World Series Champions 13 under and 14 under 2013 and 2014.
Family:
Married to Rebecca, adult children to Gavin (26), Gwenyth (23), Grant (22) and James (21). Father, Steve Jones is retired St. Mary’s Principal.
Favorite motivational quotes:
“Champions are great every day not once a week”
“Begin with the end in Mind”
“No Approach, “No Chance”
Main goals for the season 2023 Season?
Continue to build from last year’s success. Develop our young men to be their best potential on and off the field. Win the Conference, District, and state championship.
How do you feel about how your last season ended?
Last year’s season was a success. Coming into the 2022 season we only had 3-4 kids that had pitching experience and only 2 that had thrown at the varsity level. We have developed 11 kids that threw at the varsity level and will continue to make an impact in the 2023 season. Additionally, we have young men that have stepped up and worked really hard to help our program by being able to play multiple positions. Earned the #2 distict seeding and lost the district seminal game 4-1. 2022 Warriors had 7 players make the all-conference and all district teams respectively.
