In a perfect world, Chuck Jones would be able to coach both soccer and track in the spring.
Unfortunately, the world isn't perfect.
Jones, who's been an assistant soccer coach for Siloam Springs the last four years, was recently named the school's head boys track coach.
Jones' move to track was one of several internal coaching moves announced by school district superintendent Ken Ramey at a special board meeting last Monday.
Because the coaching changes were internal, board authorization was not required. The head boys track position came open in the spring when Tad Davis resigned to go into private business.
Jones joined the soccer program in the fall of 2010 and was a part of three state championship teams -- 5A boys state titles in 2011 and 2012 and most recently a 6A girls state championship in 2014.
Jones said the decision to move to the track program was not an easy one but one he felt he should make.
"It was a difficult decision to make," Jones said. "I love soccer. We've had a good run. It's been a great time. I love track. I've always liked it. It's been one of my favorite things to do."
Jones was the head track coach at Gentry for several years before moving to Siloam Springs. While at Gentry, Jones said there were often days where he was swamped with 60 to 70 kids and was often having to coach them by himself.
At Siloam Springs that won't be a problem because the district employs several track coaches. Rose Cheek is the head girls coach. Jones' wife, Sharon Jones, is an assistant track coach, while Henry Janes, Ken Bolinger, Latasha Armer are also on staff.
"It's exciting to have people that really like track and that are good coaches," Chuck Jones said. "The kids get more attention and the program can excel."
Jones said he wants to fit in on the track staff where there's the biggest need.
"Coming from a smaller school, I had to learn every position," he said. "I can coach any position. I'm going to sit down with Rose and the whole track staff and see where our strengths are. Tad was big into pole vaulting. Probably what I'm going to do is fit in where the biggest need is. I want people to coach where they're comfortable."
Siloam Springs soccer coach Jason Bowen said the soccer program will miss Jones.
"We don't want to lose him," Bowen said. "He's done a phenomenal job with our goalkeepers."
Jones' replacement on the soccer staff was also named at the recent school board meeting.
Former John Brown University standout Cheyenne Padgett, a teacher at Southside Elementary School, was named an assistant soccer and assistant cross country coach.
Padgett was a first-team all-Sooner Athletic Conference player for the Golden Eagles in 2012 when she scored six goals, including two game-winners.
"We're not going to drop off as far as soccer IQ goes," Bowen said.
In other moves, assistant football coach Scott Bohlman will move from the eighth-grade staff to the seventh-grade staff alongside Jones, who also is head seventh-grade football coach.
"I'm excited about having Scott," Jones said. "He's great with the kids. He's knowledgeable. I feel like seventh grade is such a pivotal age."
Bill Covington resigned his assistant cross country coach duties but will remain head ninth-grade boys basketball coach and varsity assistant.
Rebecca Ault resigned as assistant varsity girls basketball coach but will remain head ninth-grade girls coach.
Tamara Homeyer was promoted from assistant cheer coach to head coach. Jackie Clement was named assistant cheer coach.
Sports on 07/06/2014