Former Kittrell coach Johnny Jones remembered for booming voice, passion for game

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
Longtime Kittrell coach and teacher Johnny Jones is pictured with some of his former students during a 2011 retirement gathering. Jones died over the weekend.

He was known for his booming voice. And winning.

Former Kittrell Elementary administrator Johnny Jones died over the weekend from a suspected heart attack, leaving some fond memories for those who knew the longtime teacher and coach.

"He was hard to beat," said longtime area coach, teacher and current Rutherford County School Board member Jeff Jordan. "He had good teams, and he believed in them with a passion. He did a terrific job. He drove them hard.

"He was passionate about the game itself, and he was passionate about friendships and what he was doing and the people in general."

Former Kittrell coach and teacher Johnny Jones is shown with daughter Amy Jones, left, and niece Jenifer Jones Burns on the floor that was named in his honor. The longtime coach died over the weekend.

Jones, 62, coached at Kittrell, then a K-8 school, from 1978 until his retirement in 2011. Among the notable basketball players he mentored were former Shelbyville, MTSU and Auburn standout Chrissy Davenport and former Alabama standout Sharrona Alexander.

Oakland softball coach Charlotte Peay played for Jones during the late 1980s.

"I'm crushed," said Peay, who later played basketball and softball at Oakland and played softball at MTSU. "He was tough, but that's one of the things I really appreciated about him. To him, you weren't just a player, but a person. He was phenomenal at building relationships. It wasn't just one or two, but every kid who played for him.

"Every kid who played for him had a nickname or was recognized in their own special way. He was very passionate about making a difference in every player. He was a huge part of who I am today."

Longtime Kittrell coach and teacher Johnny Jones (center) is pictured during a retirement ceremony in 2011. Jones, who coached and taught at the school for 33 years, died over the weekend.

The floor at Kittrell is named after Jones, who coached both boys and girls during his tenure there. He grew up in the area and was a student there during the 1960s.

His success on the court left an impression on former players and rival coaches.

"A lot of people forget, we had 13 (schools) playing in that same (elementary) league," Jordan said. "He came out on top more times than not."

Added former county coach and administrator Jon Dinkins, "He was a great competitor. He was always in the game ... focused. Off the court he was one of the best guys you would want to meet. He would do anything for you. The kids really loved and respected him. You could tell that."

"I'll never forget that voice in the gym. It was really magnified."

Jones is survived by his daughter, Amy Elizabeth Jones (Chris). His wife, Libby, died just two weeks ago.  

A visitation is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home, 820 S. Church St., Murfreesboro. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday with burial to follow at Coleman Cemetery.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.