Longtime Jones Senior football coach Greg Hampton is stepping down from the position this season, moving to defensive coordinator. Tyler Hale will take over head coaching duties. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

TRENTON — Jones Senior will have a new football coach for the 2019 campaign.

On Sunday, Greg Hampton announced he was stepping down from the role he has held for 10 seasons. Hampton was the head coach at Jones Senior from 2004-10 before returning to the position in 2016. During his time as head coach, Hampton won 51 games, highlighted by a 13-2 record and fourth-round appearance in 2008.

Tyler Hale, who served as the team’s running backs and linebackers coach last year, has been promoted to head coach.

“When Coach Hampton found out he was going to be the middle and high school athletic director when the new school opened, he felt like he had a lot on his plate,” Hale said. “He told me he would think about it and give me an answer in July, deciding to make this switch.”

Hampton said he believes in Hale to push the program in a positive direction.

“In May, I already started turning over most of my duties to Coach Hale in preparation of stepping down after the coaching clinic in July,” Hampton said. “It’s time for a change and Coach Hale brings a lot of motivation and smarts. Hale is a very capable young coach who has a great rapport with the kids (and) he will do great things for Jones Senior.”

Hampton will still be on the coaching staff, working as a defensive coordinator — a position he held from 2011-15 under John Davis. Hampton said it will give him the flexibility to focus more on AD duties and hopes the program rallies around Hale.

“To my coaches and former players, it’s truly been an extreme privilege and honor to serve as your head coach over the years,” Hampton said. “I want to thank the school board members, administrators and teachers for your support. To the community, thank you for your support during good times and bad times. Please support Coach Tyler Hale like you supported me and Coach John Davis over the years.”

Hale said the focus is set toward snapping the team’s current skid. The Trojans have lost 22 straight, last winning in the first round of the NCHSAA 1A state playoffs against Manteo 38-30 on Nov. 18, 2016.

“The biggest thing right now is getting numbers and really trying to build this football program,” Hale said. “Our mentality is to get bigger, stronger and faster, but also making sure the kids become better people and not just players. The goal is to bring back a winning football program and give the town something to be proud of — we want to get back to the playoffs and eventually win a championship.”