Jones Senior's coaching staff will be getting an infusion from the Ayden-Grifton pipeline this season.

Tyler Hale was appointed running back and linebackers coach for the Trojans this season. Hale, a former quarterback, wide receiver and outside linebacker from Nash Central, spent two years coaching linebackers with the Chargers, a team currently on a 17-year streak of making the postseason.

"I definitely learned a lot," Hale said. "The staff is one of the best and the leadership traits I learned from (Ayden-Grifton) head coach (Paul) Cornwell and (defensive coordinatorTodd) Lipe I hope can carry over."

Hale, who graduated from ECU in 2017 with a degree in health and physical education, had an opportunity to intern with Ayden-Grifton due to the curriculum. 

"My sophomore year, the advisors came in and asked who wanted to coach sports," Hale said. "I wanted to coach either football or basketball and what they do is pair you with a school to observe at the elementary, middle or high school level. At first, I was at a middle school but then they came up to me and said they found a spot for me in high school, so I went and learned at Ayden-Grifton for two years."

Cornwell, one of the area's most respected coaches, has high praise for Hale.

“I think he’s going to be a good coach,” Cornwell said. “He works hard, he’s a very smart guy and I believe he’ll do a great job at Jones Senior.”

Jones Senior coach Greg Hampton shared similar sentiments. 

"He's very enthusiastic, smart, he sets a good example for the kids and he loves football," Hampton said. "He's a young guy and that's what we need. There wasn't much I had to teach him that he already didn't know learning from Paul Cornwell, and he'll be a great addition to our program."

Hale said he's ready to get to work and has high hopes for the upcoming season based on offseason workouts and camps.

"There's a lot of potential here," Hale said. "The kids are very determined and we've got some good athletes out here. We may not have the numbers, but as long as we can put 11 on the field we'll be alright.

"We've also got to do more work in the wright room, but they've been excited."