James Jennings
Teacher, Educator, Coach
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About
Everywhere we coach we instill a simple phrase, “I love you, Say it back”. We begin by investing time and energy into our players, getting to know and understand them and telling them that we love them. It usually takes some time, but eventually they learn that we mean what we say, we truly care about them.
Eventually, what they hear and see becomes what they believe and trust in. It's common to hear one of our coaches yell across the room, "Say it back," and hear a kid respond, "I love you coach!" You know you've established a great culture when you hear the players exchanging the mantra, or even better when the fans are greeting each other the same way.
Experience
Military Service
United States Navy "90-94"
E-4 Petty Officer 3rd Class
CTT - Cryptologic Tech
Stationed at Ft. Meade MD assigned to the National Security Agency (NSA)
Non-Soviet Satellite Communications
Work Experience
Children's Homes of Cleveland County
House parent at a home for at-risk youth
Redemption Outreach Church
Lead Pastor for 12 years
Communities in Schools of Cleveland County (Shelby, NC)
Site Coordinator, Kings Mountain & Crest Middle Schools collaborating with parents, educators, community-based organizations, and district leaders to help our students overcome obstacles and succeed in school and life supervised after school program that focused on STEAM activities. The program began with an average attendance of 12 and grew to over 120 students with a waiting list.
Covington County Schools
Paraprofessional for special education
Opp City Schools
Alternative School Instructor
ELA teacher, primarily 11th & 12th grade literature
Floyd County Schools
Physical Education Instructor, Weight Training Coach
Personal Information
Married to Nicole Bradley for 34 years
Nicole is a Concept Designer for Shaw industries currently working towards her degree in Architectural Design
Four children, four grandchildren
Both boys were selected All-State during their high school careers, Cole Jennings was a 2x All-State selection
Both boys played college football
Cole started TE/Plug at Miles College (HBCU)
Gray started QB as a freshman at Millsaps throwing for 1765 yds 13td before transferring to Shorter
Football Experience
Head Coach, Pepperell Middle School
7-0 Record, Outscored opponents 251-49
Championship game: Held 5-1 opponent to 0 first downs, No completions, Total Yards surrendered -85
Recruited and trained 13 Community Coaching volunteers
Connected with Berry College and Shorter University to provide game day experiences for our players
Established a highly successful off-season workout/conditioning program
Established the First ever Booster Club for a middle school in Floyd County
Obtained 501-C3 status
Raised 20K dollars
Sponsored end of summer players retreat
Paid for new uniforms
Purchased much needed equipment including helmets and shoulder pads
Provided team meals for football players and cheerleaders (first time ever)
Planned, organized, and covered the cost of the end of the year banquet
Assistant Coach, Opp High School
Earned a playoff berth every year on staff
Spent several weeks in the top 10 reaching a high as #3
Regularly finished the season in the top 15 3A
Coached LB/Corner positions on defense
Coached WR/QB positions on offense defense has held opponents to 15.1 PPG.
2021’s was a top-10 3A defense holding opposing offenses to 12.3 PPG.
The last two season’s defenses created 42 turnovers (26 INTs, 18
fumbles), averaging right at 2 turnovers per game while recording 56
sacks (2.5 per game), as well as 175 tackles for loss (8 per game).
Head JV Coach/Assistant Coach, Florala High School (1A)
Coached WR's on Varsity
5-1 JV record, only loss coming against a 5A school
Varsity averaged 30.4 pts per game
Education
BA Interdisciplinary Studies minor Education
