The Southwest Missouri baseball community is in mourning today, after hearing the news that longtime Mansfield baseball coach Doug Jones has died.
Jones, counting fall and spring games, is the winningest high school baseball coach in MSHSAA history. He had 713 wins entering the 2016 season, most of them coming as Mansfield’s skipper.
MO SPORTS HALL OF FAME STORY ON JONES
Jones was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. Mansfield renamed its baseball field after him in 2015.
Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Coach Doug Jones and the entire Mansfield community. Truly a legend!
— Forsyth Baseball (@ForsythBaseball) January 25, 2017
Prayers for the family of HOF Mansfield Baseball Coach Doug Jones as he lost his cancer battle. Thx for all the lives you have touched.
— Dr. Aaron Gerla (@GerlaAaron) January 25, 2017
Early in 2016, he began treatment for brain cancer.
Jones coached the Lions to state championships in 1995 and 1996, but he maintained his best group may have come in 1990 – when the Lions reached the semifinals with a 30-0 record, only to lose that game. Seven players from that Lions team went on to play college baseball.
He’s in the rafters & in the trophy case at @FordlandEagles. It’s Mansfield coach Doug Jones from ’84. @scoreboardguy pic.twitter.com/TNfMMTxsOV
— Joboo (@TheRealJoboo) January 11, 2017
Thoughts and prayers for the family, players, and friends of Doug Jones. The lives that you were able to positively impact are countless. pic.twitter.com/N0KssV9qyB
— Fordland Baseball (@flandbaseball) January 25, 2017
Prayers from @NCA_Baseball and @417YouthSports to Coach Doug Jones family and Lion Nation-Heaven’s team just got better. #oneofthegreatest
— John Hartley (@CoachHart24) January 25, 2017
Thoughts & prayers to the family of the greatest HS baseball coach of all time, Coach Doug Jones #legend #fungoking #RIPCoachJones pic.twitter.com/yDxrjZuvXV
— ConwayBaseball (@ConwayBaseball) January 25, 2017
Jones’ sons, Evan and Colton, both played under him at Mansfield and later at Drury University.
Jones graduated from Norwood High School in 1974 and later played at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. He became a high school coach in 1980 and coached over 30 years at Mansfield, as well as a five-year stint (1982-1987) in Fordland.
The Panther family is saddened to hear of the passing of Doug Jones. We ask that you keep his family, friends & loved ones in your prayers.
— DRURY BASEBALL (@DruryBaseball) January 25, 2017
Lots of love to the Jones family today. RIP Doug Jones one of the best coaches I have had the honor to know and one of the best men!
— Coach Hart (@CoachHart12) January 25, 2017
The lights are shining today coach. pic.twitter.com/D6m0q44gDF
— Gary greene (@GG_crappieguy) January 25, 2017
I am honored to have coached against this great man and legendary coach. Prayers go out to the family during this tough time. pic.twitter.com/yY6AL2jOIo
— Crane Baseball (@Crane_Coach) January 25, 2017
