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He’s back. Former Callaway All-American offensive lineman Keoindre Jones has returned home, taking a teaching position at Callaway Middle and a role with the high school football team. It’s a true homecoming for Jones, who is happy to be back in Troup County.

“This is home, it’s always been home,” Jones said, cracking a smile. “There is only one Callaway and it’s right here.”

Jones is not here to be a friendly face in year one. He’s an impassioned leader and is looking to make a stamp on the offensive line of the Cavaliers right away, elevating them with his knowledge and passion for the game.

“Right now, we have a lot of size and a lot of talent, and one of the best parts about playing offensive lineman at Callaway is that you play 70-80 snaps a gam,e which really gets you ready for the college level,” Jones said. 

The former Florida State and Auburn starting lineman also comes with a wealth of high-level experience. Jones played in 59 games across five seasons of college football (three at Auburn and his final two at FSU).  

Jones started in four games during his final year with the Seminoles, but with his body feeling the wear and tear of a life in the game, it felt like the time to start a new chapter in his football journey: coaching.

“I kind of felt my body giving out on me, so I started to think about getting into teaching and coaching my senior year,” Jones said.

“Coaching has been a pretty seamless transition, but teaching, I’m still getting used to. There’s a lot to learn,” he added, chuckling. 

It was not so very long ago that Jones was sitting up in the red and black and dominating under the Friday night lights at Callaway Stadium. Jones played at Callaway from 2015-2018 and was selected for the Under Armour All-American Game following his senior season, earned 2A first-team all-state accolades his senior year and was a three-time MaxPreps All-America selection. Jones started all four years at the high school level under head coach Pete Wiggins.

Wiggins and Callaway Middle School athletic director Kerry Woodard were father figures and mentors for Jones growing up and now he has returned home to work alongside them.

“Honestly, I still see them as my mentors,” he said. “I got here long ago, and they haven’t changed much since then. They are a couple of old school coaches.”

That is just part of the full-circle feeling that has been at Jones’ heart since taking a job at Callaway Middle School earlier this year. He now teaches and coaches younger brothers/cousins of some of his former teammates.

“It’s weird seeing some of these guys I’ve known since they were little kids call me coach,” Jones said. “It’s crazy because at the middle school, I actually have a younger cousin, so seeing him around school has been interesting. I still feel like he’s a little kid.”

Jones will not have to wait long to step foot under the lights at Callaway Stadium once again. The Cavaliers are set to host cross-town for LaGrange High next Friday for the spring game, and Jones will be there, making his official debut as a coach.