Jimmy Jones succeeding Russ Cellan as Freeport football coach
Freeport's new football coach Jimmy Jones poses at the school on Tuesday. Credit: David Meisenholder
The passing of the torch from legendary Freeport football coach Russ Cellan to assistant coach Jimmy Jones is official. The Freeport School District Board of Education approved the appointment of Jones as Freeport’s new varsity football coach on March 6.
“Freeport is my entire life, my community,” Jones said. “My sister and I still live here in this wonderful community and it’s very important to me and my family. We’ve had family in Freeport since the 1950s. I feel a sense of responsibility for taking care of these kids and can’t wait to get started.”
Jones, who assisted Cellan for the past 17 years, worked in different areas as the defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and running backs coach.
“He checks all the boxes,” said Cellan, who retired after 38 years with a Long Island-record seven Class I titles. “Jimmy is a member in the community that played in our program and is as much a part of Freeport as anybody. He’s perfect for the job. He’s even-tempered and can get through to kids.”
Jones, 46, graduated from Freeport in 1995 and attended Hofstra University on a football scholarship. He earned his teaching degree in physical education in 2000. He was a captain in the Freeport football program and earned a spot on Newsday’s 1994 All-Long Island team.
“He’s a natural leader and a gifted athlete,” Cellan said. “He helped us turn the corner in Freeport and it became a winning program in his junior and senior years. And as a coach, I’ve seen how the players respond to him. He relates well to our athletes. He grew up here and knows how to send the right message to succeed.”
Jones lives a five-minute walk from Freeport High School. He’s part of the fabric of the community and understands what it takes to succeed in his community.
“This job is life changing for me,” Jones said. “Russ is a lifelong mentor and I’m stepping into some big shoes. I’m very appreciative of having that kind of guy in my corner, who was a huge role model and showed me how to do things the right way. The preparation week to week and the accountability and responsibility we have to our players and them to us. We are teaching football, but we’re also teaching the game of life — the life lessons of every day. I’m ready for this challenge.”
One of Jones' favorite takes from the Cellan regime was his predecessor’s witty anecdotes.
“Russ was unique and always found teaching moments,” Jones said. “No matter how big or small your first mistake was, it's not life ending. Pick yourself up and learn from your mistakes, that’s a part of life. Don’t keep making the same mistakes. Russ would say, ‘Don’t keep tripping over the same rock.’ Own the mistake, fix it and move on from it. This coaching goes way beyond winning — we are ultimately life teachers.”
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
