Jones

Tyrone has found its next head football coach in Jason Jones to take over the Golden Eagles in the fall.

Jones, who was approved as the Eagles’ next head coach Tuesday night at Tyrone’s school board meeting, takes over for a legend of a head coach in John Franco, who announced his retirement last month after two stints in Tyrone. Between Franco’s two tenures in Tyrone, and a stop at both Altoona and Penn Cambria, he compiled a career record of 291-154-2, including 230 of those wins with the Golden Eagles.

Jones comes to Tyrone after spending the last five years at Altoona, with the last three seasons as the junior varsity head coach and the two years prior on the junior high staff. He also coaches baseball under Tom Smith at Altoona.

“I think his enthusiasm and energy and experience coaching at Altoona is going to bring excitement to Tyrone football, and continue on with the tradition that we’ve had for the last 30 years,” Tyrone athletic director Luke Rhoades said.

Jones is a 2015 graduate of Bald Eagle Area. After high school, he spent four years playing football at Juniata College. After graduation, he was hired as a junior high math teacher at Altoona and has been coaching ever since.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” Jones said. “Meeting with the administration and Luke Rhoades the other day, everyone seems really supportive. I know the rich tradition of football that John Franco has built there.”

Jones is very familiar with the past success at the school as both Tyrone and Bald Eagle Area are both former members of the Mountain League.

“Based on having history and knowing a little about the Tyrone program and being around the area, when the job came open, I knew it would be a great opportunity,” Jones said. “I’m grateful to have this opportunity.”

In Franco’s time with the Golden Eagles, Tyrone won the 1999 Class 2A championship, and was second in 1996 and 2011. The Eagles won 11 district titles under him.

“When you’re looking for a job like I am with a place to put a stake in the ground as a first-time head coach, there’s no greater place to do it than Tyrone,” Jones said. “I know a lot of people that feel the same way.”