Football

Program Overview

When it comes to learning leadership and teamwork, Poly’s football program of more than a century is an excellent choice for student-athletes. They learn that when they work together as a unit on each play, things can unfold into a winning strategy. Among the success stories of former players, who have gone on to the higher levels of both college and professional football, are two alumni who became head coaches in the NFL: Rich Kotite ’61 as a former Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets head coach, and Brian Flores ’99, who went from the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots to head coach of the Miami Dolphins and currently is the Senior Defensive Assistant/Linebackers Coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Former Poly football stars have made NFL rosters over the years as well: P.J. Hill ’05 had a successful college football career at powerhouse Wisconsin, finishing sixth in both career yards and career touchdowns. Eric Olsen ’06, offensive lineman who captained the Notre Dame team, became the first Poly player in 40 years to be drafted when the Denver Broncos selected him in 2010. Offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson ‘17, who played three years for the Georgia Bulldogs, was a first-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Football Coach

Jerell Jones became Poly’s Head Football Coach in 2022. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a BS in Kinesiology in 2007. Jones captained the URI football team while earning MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards. He also earned a MS in Kinesiology from URI, and a MA in Athletic Administration & Coaching and a MS in Exercise Physiology & Coaching from Concordia University in Irvine, CA. Jones, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, also serves as Poly’s Director of Track and Field. In 2008, Jones signed contracts with the New York Giants and San Diego Chargers of the NFL. After college, Jones, a native New Yorker, played defensive back for the New Jersey Revolution, while a football and track coach at Roosevelt H.S. in Yonkers. His playing career included the Chambersburg Cardinals, the Harrisburg Stampede, and the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks. Jones served as offensive coordinator, quarterback, and later general manager for the Jyvaskyla Jaguars, a professional football team of the Finnish Maple Football League. Jones continued his football and track coaching careers at New Rochelle H.S., Don Bosco Prep H.S., and Nyack H.S., where he served as Head Football Coach before coming to Poly.

Football Facilities

The football team practices and competes on a new Land Tech Turf Field at the Steinberg Athletic Complex.