STARKVILLE — Starkville High School head football coach Chris Jones is suspended for his team’s game Friday at Oxford.
Multiple sources with direct knowledge of Jones’ suspension, who spoke to The Dispatch anonymously due to the issue being a personnel matter, told The Dispatch on Tuesday it stems from an altercation involving players following the Yellow Jackets’ loss last week at Louisville.
Jones was not directly involved in the altercation, the sources said.
The sources could not confirm which players or how many were involved, nor would they comment on player suspensions.
Haley Montgomery, communications director for Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, would not comment on Jones’ suspension, citing it is a personnel matter. She also would not comment on who will serve as acting head coach for Friday’s game.
Neither Jones nor Louisville athletic director and head football coach Tyrone Shorter responded to calls and messages from The Dispatch on Tuesday.
Louisville High School Principal Danya Turner did not comment on the altercation.
Mississippi High School Activities Association Director Rickey Neaves said he was previously unaware of the incident when asked for comment, deferring to SOCSD.
The Jackets suffered their first loss of the season on Friday, a 42-41 heartbreaker at Louisville.
The game at Oxford, dubbed “The Little Egg Bowl,” will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday.
Jones has an 80-21 record with the Jackets and led the program to a state championship in 2022. Starkville reached the championship game again in 2023, losing to Oak Grove.
Jones is in his eighth season at the helm and is Starkville’s longest-tenured head coach since Tommy Lucas, who led the Jackets from 1986 to 1993.
Dispatch news reporter Emma McRae also contributed to this story.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.