St. Bonifacius, Minn. - Crown College Athletics is excited to announce Taylor Jones as the Polars next Head Softball Coach.

Most recently Coach Jones was the head softball coach for Glencoe-Silver Lake High School since 2020. Over the course of the past 4 years he led the program to a record of 72-32. This past season they won the section 5AA playoffs clinching a spot in the Minnesota High School Softball State Tournament and Section 5AA Coach of the Year. 

"My goal for the program is to compete consistently and become a top UMAC team while representing Christ, the college, our families, and ourselves well," said Jones, "I am grateful for this opportunity, and excited for the work to come."

Prior to his time at Glencoe-Silver Lake Jones spent time at Crown as a Graduate Assistant for the softball program from 2013-15 and coached men's basketball from 2013-16. After completing his masters in organizational leadership in 2015 from Crown College, he stayed on the softball staff as an assistant coach while teaching in Waconia until the spring of 2017. He has also been an adjunct Professor at Crown since 2017 teaching Methods of Elementary and Secondary Physical Education, Developmental Adaptive Physical Education, PE/Health, Fitness Eval & Diagnosis, and online Personal Physical Fitness.

"We are excited to have Taylor back here at Crown and are thrilled about his vision and leadership for our softball program," said Director of Athletics Steve Tebbs.

He completed an Adapted Physical Education Masters certificate from MSU Mankato in 2019 and completed a BA in Health Education in 2020. He also holds a Bachelors in Physical Education and Christian Studies with minors in coaching and health from Crown as well as an Organizational Leadership Master's degree. 

"Crown College is a special place to me, I grew in my faith, competed with my Christian brothers, met and married my wife," said Jones, "Crown is a College where you can be in a Christ-centered community and be known by teammates, coaches, and professors."

As an athlete Jones competed in basketball at Crown from 2009-13. He totaled 1,014 career points, a 38.8% three-point percentage, and 300 career assists. Current head basketball coach Luke Herbert said, "Taylor is one of the best coaches I've ever been around.  His ability to teach the requisite skills of the game, improve players while putting them into a position to succeed, and relate to everyone on the roster while creating a positive experience for the entire team is incredibly impressive.  I'm so excited that he's back home at Crown College and can't wait to see the job he does with Crown softball.  If I'm lucky, he'll pop into the gym every once in a while and give me some pointers as well!"

Jones is originally from Lindstrom, Minnesota and graduated Chisago Lakes High School in 2008. He is married to Dr. Lexy Jones current professor of History and Teacher Education at Crown. They have two sons, 7 year old Isaiah, 5 year old Leo, and another on the way.