Veteran Wrestling Coach Ernie Jones Joins His Sons on Broken Arrow Coaching Staff
By Mike Moguin
GTR Sports Writer
OUTSTANDING COACHES: From left, former Broken Arrow High School Coach Shawn Jones, Cascia Hall Coach Ernie Jones, and Broken Arrow High School assistants Biff Jones and Rodney Jones. Ernie Jones is the father of Shawn, Biff and Rodney.
Ernie Jones has been wanting to come to Broken Arrow to help his sons coach for a long time.
That opportunity came this year and the legendary coach seized the moment.
Jones had been the head coach for 22 years at Cascia Hall, where he coached many state championships and all-staters. He will be an assistant for the Tigers, who are coached by Rodney Jones, the middle son of the elder Jones. Biff Jones, the youngest son, is the associate head coach.
Shawn Jones, his oldest son, had been the head coach for 14 years before resigning in 2019 to launch a career in medical sales.
“The boys wanted me to come. Even when Shawn was there, they were wanting me to come,” Jones said. “I was wanting to put the (Cascia Hall) program in good hands before I left.
“When that happened, the boys immediately got me to Broken Arrow,” Jones added.
Zac Livingston is now coaching the Cascia Hall program, which Jones started in 1999.
Jones, who also coached at Booker T. Washington and Webster, is also working as a teacher at Broken Arrow. Wrestlers he has coached include Kenny Monday, who went on to have a stellar career at Oklahoma State and became an Olympian.
Of course, the sons are excited about having their dad on board.
“I think they enjoy me being there,” the elder Jones said. “I’ve enjoyed watching them coach. They’ve been wrestling since they were four years old. They’ve had a steady diet of it their entire lives. They’ve been exposed to countless great coaches through the years. So they’re really well-versed and they do a great job and have a big challenge on their hands. Broken Arrow must remain Broken Arrow no matter what the situation. So, they’re busy.”
And the Tiger wrestlers are certainly ready to get going with a new season. They start the season hosting the Broken Arrow Open on Nov. 13.
“They’re very young and they’re working hard,” the elder Jones said. “We’re anxious to get on the mat.
The Tigers finished fourth in last year’s state tournament after winning the previous two years.
“A lot of people would be thrilled to death (with a fourth-place finish),” Jones said. “But this is Broken Arrow and fourth is not going to cut it. We know that and certainly, that’s the job. You got to produce.”
And Jones is thrilled to be part of it.
“I hope to get stronger and stronger as I get to know the kids. There are 60-something kids in the room. Now the challenge is knowing all their names,” he said.
“I’m excited to be there and watch them coach and try to do what I can to make them help the program.”
