[underdog55]

David Jones has been hired as the next bead football coach. I think this is a home run hire for them and will bring a lot of excitement back to that program which needed it desperately. What's everyone's opinion on this hire?

[Xerxes]

From Belfry?

[pjdoug]

good hire for Phelps. I thought football would soon be a thing of the past there.

[E's Army]

Good to see things moving forward

[underdog55]

From Belfry?

Yes from belfry

[Big Five-0-]

Imo, a great hire as this program starts an upswing.

[shelbyvalley02]

Wonder if he brings a few kids from Belfry ? It would be good to see Phelps compete again on the gridiron... Good Luck to Coach Jones

[maximus73]

I'm so glad to see Phelps get a good coach.

[Real Badman]

Phelps has had good coaches? Joplin led them to a district championship and a 10-0 record in the 80's, and Peck did about as good of a job as you can do before his kids transferred.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

Wonder if he brings a few kids from Belfry ? It would be good to see Phelps compete again on the gridiron... Good Luck to Coach Jones

I guess anything is possible....but I highly doubt that happening.

[docakers]

Excellent hire! David is a first class guy, and will bring a ton of talent to this program. I just hope that his talent is well received, which it should. Jones brings a world of enthusiasm to a struggling program. Just hope he gets the financial support he will need to re-build their program. Think we may see renewed interest in football on the other side of Pike County! Congrats and good luck to David and a good bunch of kids who deserve better.

[#1 Blackcat Fan]

Congrats and good luck David.

[Belfry4life]

This school could not have begged for a better coach. David is a top notch coach. I did hear 2 or 3 followed him to phelps. Looking for playing time. I also heard 1 or 2 left for Mingo Central for playing time. Has anyone heard the same

[OutlawJoseyWales]

This school could not have begged for a better coach. David is a top notch coach. I did hear 2 or 3 followed him to phelps. Looking for playing time. I also heard 1 or 2 left for Mingo Central for playing time. Has anyone heard the same

I did hear that an offensive lineman is transferring to Phelps from Belfry. Info hasn't been verified....but from a quality source.

I haven't heard of anyone else. Even with a few transfers.....Coach Jones will continue to battle against the small numbers the Phelps area can muster yearly. The entire area has simply been decimated by the losses in the coal industry. Very sad.

[kids03]

Maybe some of the kids they lost to Belfry and PCC will come back.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Glad to see they hired someone with some fire and desire and PASSION FOR THE GAME. From the coaches down to the waterboys and fanbase, the Phelps football community desperately needed someone like Jones. The last 5 seasons the team has seemed completely lost. Last year they fielded a team of what looked like all lineman and linebackers with very little in the way of skill kids. Hopefully this breathes new life into the program and the kids in the hall get interested in playing football again.

[Motley]

The entire area has simply been decimated by the losses in the coal industry. Very sad.

Yea, because Phelps was doing so good before the coal industry went downhill.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

Yea, because Phelps was doing so good before the coal industry went downhill.

Not referencing wins/losses related to Phelps.....just that fact that due to a dwindling population base.....going to be difficult to grow participation numbers.