Freshman year: ankle surgery.

Sophomore year: another.

Junior year: back surgery.

Senior year: one more ankle surgery.

Current head varsity football coach Devonte Jones was once a football player himself at Bellaire, the school that led him to playing Division 1 football at Baylor University for one year before transferring to Stephen F. Austin State University for the remaining three.

“Playing football at Bellaire was purely out of my own interest since my parents weren’t heavy on sports,” Jones said. “They just expected me to handle my business, pass my classes and that's that's about it.”

Jones “never” had hopes of playing in college, but that mindset changed after being offered a full-ride Division 1 scholarship to Baylor University, where he began his collegiate career.

“In college, I was an offensive lineman who played from guard to tackle,” Jones said. “Playing multiple positions within my group was something my coaches emphasized. I try to carry that on with my coaching style now.”

Through college, Jones faced many injuries. Despite “not having the best luck” in that department, he played for all four years of college and finished his college football journey at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Still, Jones’ journey was far from easy. Each year brought another surgery and another fight to earn back his spot. Watching others take the field in his place tested his confidence, but strengthened his resolve.

“I’ve had surgery every year in college, and I saw my position get taken each time,” he said. “It was frustrating at first. I felt like all my work was slipping away. But in the end, it made me a stronger person and allowed me to realize I can push through anything.”

Through it all, one person has always been there: Brianna Jones, his wife and now the boys track coach. The two met during their senior year at Bellaire after Briana slid into his DMs. Within three days, they started dating. They now have two daughters together.

“When I first met him, I thought he was cute, funny, kind and driven,” Briana said. “We started dating right away. It just clicked.”

Briana went to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to play Division 1 volleyball during her freshman year of college, while Jones played football at Baylor. Despite their eight-hour distance, they still supported each other through it all.

“Before a volleyball game, we would always FaceTime just to catch up with each other,” Briana said. “He would watch my games on a livestream and jokingly text me, ‘Put up your feet Briana!’”

Briana would often go to the hospital to support Jones through his surgeries. The couple ended long-distance dating when they both transferred to Stephen F. Austin in their sophomore year of college.

“Long distance wasn’t easy at all, I'll just say that,” Jones said. “We both knew we wanted to be back together, and we were lucky to be able to transfer together.”

After college, Briana was offered a job back at Bellaire as the boys track coach. Meanwhile, Jones began his career coaching football at Madison High School.

While Coach Briana settled into her role with the track team, Jones patiently waited for the right opportunity to come back to the school that had shaped both his personal and professional life. He was then offered a job at Bellaire as an assistant varsity football coach.

Now back at Bellaire together, the couple quickly learned to balance their busy coaching schedules. They often spent time at each other’s practices, supporting one another’s teams and athletes.

“Our girls and I always know we’re busy two nights out of the week, one for the JV football game, one for the varsity game,” Briana said. “But we love watching him do what he loves.”

Balancing two coaching careers and raising two daughters “isn’t easy,” but the couple makes it work. Being together at Bellaire has helped them manage the demands of coaching while staying close to their family and community.

Jones also credits support from former head coach Herb Kunz, who led the program since 2015.

“Coach Kunz has been one of my biggest supporters through this new transition," Jones said. “He lightens my load and gives me a heads up on things I’ll have to take care of for the week.”

Jones’ promotion to head coach marked a “major milestone” in his career. With guidance from Kunz, he stepped into a leadership role that demanded more than just football knowledge.

“The main difference is definitely paperwork,” Jones said. “You’re in control of everything now. You don’t get to coach as much as you’d want because you’re more on the professional side of things.”

For Jones, the shift meant less time on the field and more time managing logistics. According to Jones, adjusting to the administrative side has given him a broader perspective on program development.

“Even off the field, football molds you as a whole person, not just an athlete,” Jones said. “Learning how to manage schedules, coordinate staff and handle the behind-the-scenes work has shown me a different side of the game and what it takes to build a successful program.”

Jones’ coaching style is deeply rooted in his own experience as a player. Even with the new responsibilities, he leads by example, often joining them in drills and workouts. He also emphasizes attention to detail, helping his athletes grow both on and off the field.

“Being coached by Coach Jones was great for me because he played football in college for multiple Division 1 schools,” senior offensive line player Delander Pickens said. “He teaches us what to do. That helps us get better.”

Beyond his experience on the field, Jones brings a personal touch to his coaching style. He focuses on connecting with each player individually, taking time to understand their strengths, goals and personalities. This balance between mentorship and friendship shapes the team culture.

“The entire team has a different level of respect for him. He's not a coach that comes off super aggressive — he’s chill with us.” Pickens said. “We all feel comfortable around him to joke around, but we also know when it's time to work.”

But for Pickens, Jones’ impact goes deeper than game plans or drills. He and Briana have become mentors helping players navigate life outside of football.

“They’re like my school parents,” Pickens said. “Coach Jones and Coach Briana both check in on me, not just about football, but about school, life, everything. They care about us as people first.”

That connection is exactly what Jones values most about his role: creating a family environment where his players feel seen, supported and inspired to succeed. They urge communication with their players and often do check-in meetings, just to see how players are doing personally.

“My goal is to build a program that lasts,” Jones said. “Not just for wins, but for building character and giving these young men the tools to handle life. We have a large senior group this year, and I want to help them become leaders who set the example for the younger kids coming in.”

In the short-term, Jones hopes to strengthen Bellaire’s team culture and develop consistency on and off the field. Long-term, his sights are set on turning the program into one that other schools look up to with winning a state championship.

“I want people to see Bellaire football and know that we’re disciplined, that we work hard, and that we care about each other,” he said. “That’s what winning really looks like.”

As the season unfolds, Jones continues to lead with patience, perspective and passion, the same traits that carried him through his playing years. For him, this new chapter is both a homecoming and a new beginning.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Jones said. “We’re ready to go to work.”