Developing
Spring Valley coach John Jones announced his retirement today.
"There is only ONE John Jones--Spring Valley High School and I don't know if they will ever find anyone that can replace you, not just for the great teams and great individuals you have coached and mentored, but for your incredible involvement and promotion of Track and Field and Cross Country in the state of South Carolina," Foot Locker South Meet Director and Hilton Head coach Max Mayo said in an email to Jones tonight. "I have respected you from the moment I really got involved in coaching at Hilton Head. You are the first person I usually see when I get to a meet you are hosting and setting up for, and probably one of the last to leave, and you have no peers when it comes to organizing a meet."
2013: Jones' 'old-school' approach working at Spring Valley
Jones, coaching for 39 years, said in an email to coaches, "Fellow coaches, I wanted to let everyone know that this will be my final season at Spring Valley. I submitted my resignation on Friday. It has been my honor and privilege to have coached along side you for the past 39 years. I hope in some small way I have helped you and your athletes get the best experience possible from our great sport. I hope to stay involved and maybe someone near Pawleys Island will take me on as volunteer assistant. The job opening will be posted soon. You have all contributed to my enjoyment of the sport and I thank each of you.
"I wish you nothing but the best as you make this transition in your life but I am sure you won't be sitting on a dock somewhere with a fishing pole in your hand every day," said Mayo.