Chamberlain assistant Richard "Cam" Jones has been hired as Chiefs football coach, Principal Tommy Morrill announced in an e-mail Tuesday morning.
The Chiefs' JV coach and varsity receivers coach last season, Jones was among nine applicants who interviewed Monday. He replaces D.J. Mayo, who stepped down after one season over a teaching certification issue. Mayo recently was hired as quarterbacks coach at NAIA Warner University in Lake Wales.
"He is very excited," Morrill said in an e-mail to the Tampa Bay Times. "Likewise, the players are excited as they all clapped thunderously and chanted after I announced his appointment to them in the stadium with him standing there."
Upon confirming his resignation last week, Mayo said he hoped either Jones or fellow Chiefs assistant Trae Gentile would get the job. Jones, who led Chamberlain's JV to a 4-1 mark last fall, previously was hired as a teacher for students with disabilities, Morrill said. Prior to his appointment, he substituted in several positions at Chamberlain.
According to the Chamberlain football website, Jones also previously worked at Raymond James Stadium as an operations assistant for the Buccaneers and USF. During that time, he also was a volunteer assistant at Jefferson.
"I had the pleasure to observe his demeanor on the sideline with our students throughout the season," Morrill said.
"He is always positive and encouraging. Coach Jones' passion and enthusiasm for the position was evident during the interview. His attention to the details of the program stood out, including emphasis on high academic achievement, behavior, practice and game-day expectations, and his statement that 'all players are leaders in the school.'"