Stirley Jones brings experience, national success, and a proven ability to elevate programs at every level to Whittier College Track & Field, having joined the Poets ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Coach Jones began his collegiate coaching career at Santa Ana College, where he served as the Sprints and Cross Country Coach. He mentored three All-Americans, guided six athletes to conference finals, and helped four athletes enter the school’s Top Three All-Time list. Three athletes qualified for the Cross Country State Championships, and the women’s sprint program posted marks not achieved since 2005.
At Vanguard University (2020–2022), Jones helped elevate the program to national prominence. In two seasons, he produced 19 national qualifiers and 15 All-Americans, including a National Champion relay team. The women captured back-to-back conference championships in 2021 and 2022 — the first in program history — while multiple school records fell.
Jones also made an impact at Golden West College, mentoring athletes to six All-American honors and helping break a women’s 100-meter school record that had stood since 1998.
At the high school level, Jones has built and transformed programs across Southern California. As head coach at Yorba Linda High School, he grew participation from 19 to more than 180 athletes in three years, led the program to three consecutive league championships, and coached CIF and State champions in the 100 meters and 4×100 relay. His athletes produced 30 league titles, 30 CIF qualifiers, and eight state qualifiers, with 25 advancing to compete collegiately.
A 13-time National Champion and All-American, Jones proudly represented Team USA and continues to hold collegiate records. He holds two associate degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and a Master’s degree in Education.
