MileSplit SC is starting a series talking with coaches that are new to a South Carolina high school, rebuilding or revamping a program. This interview is with Saeed Jones of Ashley Ridge.
What made you decide to get into coaching track and field?
Nearly anyone who's had a positive experience competing in track and field, particularly at the collegiate level will tell you, it's hard to stay away. Two years out of school I was still running road races and competing in the odd open event, and I realized that my coaches had really given me gift that I've been able to enjoy even now into my 30s. I missed the atmosphere and decided coaching would be the best way to share my passion for the sport.
How long have you been coaching?
I've been coaching since December 2016, so just over seven years now.
Where were you before Ashley Ridge?
Ashley Ridge is the first and only high school program I've coached. Prior to this I competed for the track and cross country programs at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University during my undergraduate career.
How do you look at the 2024-2026 SCHSL classification alignments?
For the sake of fairness at the lower levels I think it was the most reasonable course of action that could be taken at the time. As for the splitting of 5A into two championship classes at the top, that's harder for me to wrap my head around. I don't necessarily agree with it, but if there are two 5A track and field state champions in the future we want to be one of them.
Since being named head coach, what experience did you have prior?
Before being named head coach I served as the assistant cross country and track and field coach at Ashley Ridge for six years. I primarily worked with mid-distance, but also gave attention to the sprints, hurdles, and jumps. I've worked with a couple club programs and youth clinics in the Lowcountry during the off seasons.
Did you do research before first practice? Please explain.
The research happens year round, but I do a couple things before the first practice each season. First, I revisit and add my library of coaching materials and then go to the track to practice the form and movements for each event I'll be coaching. Second, I'll go on SCRunners, check the rankings of our returners, other region programs, and last year's championship results, from region through the state championship. I never want to set unrealistic expectations for our athletes, but I do like them to go into the season knowing where the bar's been set previously. We have all season to chase and surpass those marks.
"The research happens year round, but I do a couple things before the first practice each season. First, I revisit and add my library of coaching materials and then go to the track to practice the form and movements for each event I'll be coaching. Second, I'll go on SCRunners, check the rankings of our returners, other region programs, and last year's championship results, from region through the state championship. I never want to set unrealistic expectations for our athletes, but I do like them to go into the season knowing where the bar's been set previously. We have all season to chase and surpass those marks." - Saeed Jones, Ashley Ridge track and field
What was your first conversation with your athletes?
First we looked to define success. Championships, medals, podiums, all great goals, but low hanging fruit. I tried to stress that not everyone will achieve that specific kind of success but winning isn't the only thing (cliché). Any athlete on my team that gets a PR, earns a scholarship or academic recognition of any kind, learns and grows as a leader within our program, those are the pieces we need to thrive as a team. We then defined our three C's; commitment, consistency, and confidence. As we work through these three items over the duration the season, then championships, medals and podiums are back on the table.
Do you have other coaches you see as mentors to you? Please explain this relationship and any conversations you'll never forget.
Among my peers at the coaching level, I've been guided by Coaches Jeff Plane (Ashley Ridge), James Quinn (Fort Dorchester), Eboni Thompkins-Webber (Stratford, ATOS), and Andres Casson (Stall). Mentors from my time as an athlete, Coaches Wallace Johnson (Hertford County), Duane Ross, Joel Pearson, and Perry Cabean (North Carolina A&T).
Since I've graduated, Coach Ross and I have had a couple conversations regarding the balance and sacrifice required of head coaches in regard to the program and our families at home. Respectfully, I'll spare the finer details of those discussions, but they stand out because they get to the human side of the profession. Being a head coach isn't easy, and the extra work time away from family can be stressful for you and your loved ones. Life is easier when you can find a good balance between the two.
What goals do you have this year?
At the championship level we want depth. There are 6-8 scoring positions are up for grabs in every event. If we've got 2-3 student athletes near the top of the table in the region, Lower State and state championship...we're in the conversation to win the crown. Depth is the ultimate goal; we'll bring our best and the chips will fall as they may.
What sports were you involved with as an athlete?
Track and field, cross country, basketball, golf, soccer, football and triathlons / duathlons.
What motivation do you have for the season?
We're motivated to mold this group into a championship winning program. We have a passionate staff, great student-athletes and I believe they deserve to be placed in a position to win. All the pieces are there, just have to do the work.
What are your goals?
Away from the oval, I want to secure funding for a facility dedication and start an annual invitational in honor our beloved Coach Meg Jenkins, who we lost in 2019. She deserves to be recognized and remembered daily on the grounds of our campus. On the track, the goal creating depth, to have a team that will operate on a championship quality level year in and year out and train up our student-athletes to be collegiate scholarship recipients if that the route they want to choose.
How do you set goals for yourself, the team and individuals?
I try to be realistic. My goal setting is usually based on short term percentile improvements. Hail Mary target numbers for the end of the season can start to become discouraging to athletes if they don't feel they're progressing enough, even if the performance trends say otherwise.
What do you think it takes to make a coach today?
On and off the track.Aside from knowledge of the sport and biomechanics, a coach today needs to be organized, an effective communicator and have empathy for their student-athletes. The approach to the team needs to be transformative and not transactional. It can't be about ego or money; it's about guiding these young people to be the best version of themselves, on and off the track.
Going into being a head coach at a new school, how did the team respond?
Fortunately for me, I've been with this team for 7 years. I've coached entire families of siblings, formed great relationships with the parents and coaches. I think expectation was that at some point I would be handed the reigns, so when it happened the team was excited.
What steps do you plan to take this season for this season and the future?
Putting together a great coaching staff was top priority. As a collective we have more than 50 years' experience, and all that passion and knowledge can only mean great things for our program. Fundraising and hosting meets this season will help with replacing equipment at our track, and hopefully we'll get a faster surface and more bleachers installed in the next couple years. Getting our athletes into the weight room has been an area we're starting to make progress on, and getting athletes more study materials related to the sport is big. Books, videos, introducing our kids to the wider world of track through social media and televised meets; we want our athletes to be students of the sport.
Have you had any challenges?
Nothing too serious, it's still very early but fundraising is always a challenge. Building up a savings cache for the team falls definitely falls under the scope of your previous question.
What drives you to be a coach to high school and middle school track and field athletes?
Track has been a constant in my life since my middle school years, even earlier if you account for the stories my dad would share about his time competing. It showed me self-discipline, how to handle success and setbacks, allowed me to travel across the country and make lifelong friends. Coaching middle and high school athletes allows me to operate in a broad talent window. On one end, you have the ability to develop a new athlete from the ground up, and on the other, you are coaching elite athletes who have the potential to thrive at the next level. As these kids grow from seventh to 12th grade, wherever they ultimately end up on that spectrum, you get to see the evolution, not just in their athletic ability, but in their personality, their knowledge and awareness of the world, and more often than not, you'll see them fall in love with the sport too. It's rewarding to be a part of their journey.