Pompton Lakes football elevates longtime assistant to head coach, replacing Scott Mahoney
Pompton Lakes football has once again turned to one of its own.
Longtime assistant coach Justin Jones, a 1999 graduate of the school, was approved as the Cardinals new head coach at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting.
Jones, 43, is just the sixth coach in program history, which began play in 1932. He takes over for veteran Scott Mahoney, who stepped down last month after spending 19 years as head coach.
“It’s very surreal and gratifying. I grew up in Pompton Lakes and went through the school system and athletic programs in town. Everything about me is Pompton Lakes. It’s who I am,” Jones said. “I started my coaching career here. I’ve always had the drive to become a head coach at some point and I couldn’t be any happier that it’s here. I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity.”
Jones, who resides in Pompton Lakes with his wife, Nicole, and son, Keegan, has spent the last 19 seasons at his alma mater as an assistant coach and health and physical education teacher. He joined the staff in 2005 when Mahoney took over as head coach.
Jones played a key role in Pompton Lakes’ success over the last two decades, helping the program to four sectional titles, its last coming in 2013 as part of three straight Group 1 crowns.
“Pompton Lakes is a tight-knit community where we lean on each other in a positive way. As a lifelong resident, I understand the students and athletes as I lived it myself,” Jones said. “It’s been a very rewarding and satisfying journey up to this point. I’m looking forward to giving back to the community and to lead the program into the future.”
A three-sport athlete at Pompton Lakes High School, Jones captained the football, wrestling and baseball teams his senior season. In his junior year, he played quarterback and linebacker as the Cardinals won the North 1, Group 2 title with a 7-6 win over Westwood. He also won 80 career wrestling matches.
After graduating from Pompton Lakes, Jones went on to play four years of college football at Muhlenberg, including his last two as the Mules starting quarterback. In his final year, he was named Centennial Conference and Southwest ECAC Offensive Player of the Year.
"We're working hard in the weight room and already getting a good jump on next season," Jones said. "I met with the team and talked about the future. Everyone is looking forward to what's ahead. We're going to hit the ground running."
Jones said the coaching staff will remain intact and he'll be looking to add another assistant for the role he held. Defensive coordinator Paul Koontz, who started coaching at Pompton Lakes at the same time Jones did, is expected to return and be a key liaison on Jones' staff.
Passing the torch
Mahoney, the second longest tenured football coach in program history behind pioneer Charlie Benson (1932-1963), quietly stepped down shortly after the season-ending playoff loss to Hanover Park in October. Pompton Lakes finished 4-5 last fall.
A lifetime Cardinal, Mahoney compiled a 114-67 record in 19 seasons. During his tenure, Pompton Lakes won four sectional titles in Group 1, including three straight from 2011-2013. In his first season as head coach in 2005, the Cardinals finished 11-1 and won the North 1, Group 1 crown, defeating Hasbrouck Heights, 27-7.
“I’ve been part of Pompton Lakes football for as long as I can remember. It’s been a great journey and an honor to be able to continue the tradition all these years,” Mahoney said. “Between being an assistant and head coach, I’ve been on the sidelines for 30 years at Pompton Lakes. I put a two-year plan in place two years ago knowing that this would be my last season.
"Time moves fast. The program is in good hands with Justin [Jones] as head coach. He understands the Pompton culture, and similar to me, he has been a part of the community since he was a kid. It’s the reason why Pompton Lakes football has been so successful.”
The 2012 season was arguably Mahoney's finest. That year, the third-seeded Cardinals went 12-0, defeating top-seeded Cedar Grove, 28-13, in the North 1, Group 1 final at MetLife Stadium. Prior to being named head coach in 2005, Mahoney was an assistant under Garry Lucianni (1991-2004).
Mahoney, who will remain the Cardinals' wrestling coach, is in his 28th year in that role and is the longest-tenured wrestling coach in school history. He took over the program from his father, Ed Mahoney, in 1997 after serving as an assistant for two years.
On January 6, 2022, Mahoney picked up career win No. 400. He is one of three Pompton Lakes coaches to reach career win milestones in two different sports.
Longtime field hockey coach Eileen Allan, who retired following the 2021 season, won more than 400 games and also won more than 200 games as a softball coach.
Former baseball coach Dennis Arnold won 407 games in a 26-year career and recorded more than 100 wins as the school’s bowling coach.
“As my own kids got older, it got harder to be away from them. We’re spread out all over the place and there’s things my wife and I are looking forward to doing as a family,” Mahoney said. “Family comes first, but I’ll always be a part of the Pompton Lakes community, especially the football program.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Pompton Lakes football: Justin Jones replaces Scott Mahoney as coach
