Former Red Mountain coach and current San Tan Foothills assistant Jim Jones is expected to be Mesquite's new football coach.
Jones couldn't be reached for comment on Monday, but Jones is listed among Certified Personnel seeking employment by the Gilbert district school board's approval during its Feb. 12 board meeting.
Jones' hiring is contingent on that approval.
If approved, Jones would replace Matt Gracey, who resigned after the 2012 season after two years at the helm.
Jones spent the past three years as an assistant to Rodger Schenks at San Tan Foothills.
Prior to that, Jones helped open Red Mountain H.S. in 1988, and spent 23 seasons as the Lions' coach, where he led the Lions to two state titles (2000 and 2001) and two semifinals appearances before he resigned after the 2009 season.
Current Mesquite athletic director Jason Grantham was the Red Mountain baseball coach during Jones' final couple seasons at Red Mountain.
Jones began his coaching career at Bullhead City Mohave as an assistant for two years and head coach for four. He also coached at Phoenix Cortez for two seasons and then went to Westwood as a defensive coordinator for seven years.
His son, Preston Jones, is the Perry football coach.
Mark Heller is the East Valley Tribune sports editor. He can be reached at mheller@evtrib.com or (480) 898-6576.
