Jones Senior High Welcomes Stephen Perry as New Football Head Coach
TRENTON, NC – In a significant move aimed at revitalizing its football program, Jones Senior High School has announced Stephen Perry as the new head coach for the Trojans. Perry takes the helm following Zach Sellers' tenure, marking the team's second head coaching change in as many seasons. This decision comes in the wake of the passing of the respected Coach Greg Hampton, underlining the school's commitment to a fresh start in its athletic department.
Jones Senior's football fortunes have been challenging over the past seven years, with the Trojans posting a 3-59 record. The need for a turnaround has led the school to adopt an 8-man football format for the upcoming 2024-25 season, a strategic shift that underscores the depth of change the program is undergoing.
Stephen Perry, hailing from New Bern, brings to Jones Senior a rich pedigree of football experience and a deep personal connection to the sport. A former offensive tackle on New Bern's 2007-08 state championship team, Perry also boasts collegiate playing experience at Methodist University. His coaching career has been diverse, serving as a defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator, and providing in-box assistance to head coaches, including a pivotal period under the mentorship of Coach Hampton.
Perry's vision for the Trojans is rooted in community engagement, program building, and instilling confidence in his players. He is emphatic about the temporary nature of the shift to 8-man football, viewing it as a strategic step to re-align and strengthen the team for a return to 11-man play. "8-man football is temporary. We don't plan on being 8-man forever. With realignment coming in two to three years, we'll use this time to build confidence, establish principles, and then get back to 11-man football," Perry shared.
With determination as his guiding principle, Perry is committed to fighting for his team and leveraging his relationships within the community to foster a supportive environment for the Trojans. His goal is to re-establish and enhance the connection between the football program and the broader Trenton community, a vision that includes reviving recreational football as a foundational element of the program.
The legacy of coaching in Perry's family, with his grandfather Ted Perry having coached football in New Bern during the 1980s, and the influence of Coach Hampton, serve as profound inspirations for Stephen. "I hate neither is going to be able to see it," Perry remarked, reflecting on his mentors' impact on his life and career. Upon learning of his appointment, Perry's first act was to share the news with his grandmother, celebrating the milestone and setting the stage for the next chapter in Jones Senior High School football.
As Stephen Perry embarks on this journey with the Trojans, the community's eyes are on him, hopeful for a resurgence in the school's football fortunes. With a focus on building from within and leveraging the strength of community bonds, Perry's tenure at Jones Senior promises to be a pivotal era for Trojan football.
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