JACKSONVILLE, Ark. — As the high school basketball season comes to an end, so does the career of a coaching Titan.
After 36 years teaching and coaching Jacksonville’s Jerry Wilson will retire at the end of the year. “There just sort of comes a time where you feel like it’s time.”
Pick a sport and Wilson has probably coached it including football, basketball, baseball, tennis and track. Wilson also served as the school’s athletic director from 2006-2018. “Sort of unique and a blessing at the same time because all my kids graduated from here.”
Not only did Wilson coach his own kids but several that have gone on to the professional level including Super Bowl champion Clinton McDonald and Kansas City Chief Demetrius Harris. Wilson recalls when McDonald asked to be on the basketball team.
“He asked coach do you think I can help your basketball team. He stood flat footed and dunked the ball, I said yeah I think you can.”
From coaching pro athletes to possible future ones like Oklahoma State commit Davonte Davis, he’s now adjusting to his new role of the Titan’s number one fan.
“It’s easy to critique now and say I’m a fan now so I can do that and I’ll be looking forward to that.”