'A family decision': Why Antwon Jones left South Bend Adams for Penn
SOUTH BEND — For the last 15-plus years Antwon Jones has made football-focused career decisions. But when a sudden opportunity popped up, Jones decided to think about his family's future.
"Sometimes when a door opens you have to make a difficult decision," Jones told the Tribune.
That decision was to resign from his head football coaching position at South Bend Adams to become the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation's assistant director of security.
"It was about an opportunity to better provide for my family with accepting the job," Jones said. "It was an opportunity we felt we needed to take. It was a decision based on what is best for our family."
Jones will also be on Penn football's coaching staff as an assistant. It will be the first season in 15 years the former Notre Dame defensive lineman won't be a head coach.
He spent four years at South Bend Washington from 2008-12, leading the Panthers to the 4A state title game in 2011, then four years at Niles (Michigan), before returning to South Bend to coach the Eagles for the past six seasons.
Over his tenure, Jones compiled a 20-41 record, with a six-win year in 2016 (his first on staff) being the most during his tenure.
Last season Adams finished 4-7, beating Goshen for Jones' lone playoff win, before losing to Michigan City (42-0) in sectional play.
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"I love those kids at Adams," Jones said of his time coaching the Eagles. "I will do anything I can to help them get to where they want to be in the future.
"We didn't have the records we wanted but our kids tried. They fought hard and we did what we could do. I am proud of my time there. I am proud of the effort my kids gave and my coaching staff gave. They gave me what they could and I gave them what I had, so I have nothing but good memories."
That's what made Monday's decision to resign, and the proceeding meeting with his players so tough.
"The great times I had with those kids and just watching kids grow," Jones said of his time at Adams. "We have had a lot of kids go on and have successful careers playing football and just be successful individuals in life and that is what it is all about."
Now Jones, who's coaching role is not yet defined, will try to contribute to that success with the Kingsmen, under Cory Yeoman's 20th season as Penn's head coach. Last year the Kingsmen advanced to the 6A regional before losing to Merrillville.
"Antwon, from what I can tell, builds relationships," Penn athletic director Jeff Hart said. "I think kids respond to him and that is what we want all of our coaches to be."
Set on his new career path, Jones doesn't know if head coaching again is in his future. Really, he's not focused on that. Instead, Jones' full attention is how he could better the Kingsmen in his new role.
"If I was worried about being a head coach I never would have left Adams," Jones said. "It is not about that. It is about me doing what is best for the family. Everyone knows to be a good leader you have to be a good follower. My plan is to go there, do my part, put in work and help Penn be as good as they can be."
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Antwon Jones makes "family decision" in leaving South Bend Adams
