GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – The Ottawa Hills Bengal varsity football program has a new leader with deep ties to the school and community. James Jones, an Ottawa Hills High School graduate and former student-athlete, has been named head coach. Jones also works directly with scholars at Ottawa Hills as an in-house specialist.
“It's a dream, a passion and a desire for me to help these young men in our community,” Jones said. “We are in a great place at Ottawa Hills to build - to restore pride.”
Football has long played a central role in Jones’ life. He began playing in the Ottawa Hills 78ers program as an eighth grader, starred for the team in high school and continued his playing career at Northwood University.
“My football journey has been very important to me and very impactful in my life,” he explained. “It changed my life in high school. It made me who I am today.
As head coach, Jones plans to implement an up-tempo offense designed to put scholar-athletes in positions to make plays and succeed.
“It's going to be tough. It's going to be difficult,” he said. “But as long as you put the effort in, I'm going to put the effort here for you as well.
Jones believes the lessons learned on the gridiron will translate directly to success in the classroom.
“I think a lot of our kids want to be a part of something,” he said. “There's studies that show having a great football program drives your academics. We have to develop a foundation and a culture here that kids want to be a part of.”
His focus is on restoring the roar and building long-term success for the Bengal football program.
“We're thinking about the long term, not the short term,” Jones promised. “I want to get started. I want to get going. I'm eager. I'm excited to get the process rolling.”
