Photo courtesy Rustburg football
Jack Baker is coming home to coach the James River football team.
Baker, a 1990 graduate of James River High School, was named head football coach at James River High School by the School Board last week. Baker was a standout player for the Knights as an underclassman and grew to love the game as the son of John Baker, who coached the James River team from 1964 to ’72.
“I am super excited to be the coach at James River High School,” said Baker. “I don’t know much about them and that is fine. I plan to coach them hard, believe in them and help them become a competitive football team. I am looking forward to coaching Northern Botetourt County kids, just like I was 35 years ago.”
James River athletic director Ryan Firebaugh is also a former athlete for the Knights and he feels the school got a difference maker with Baker. There were several excellent applicants for the position but Jack stood out.
“Jack loves to coach and his passion for the game and passion to teach the game to young athletes is very inspirational,” said Firebaugh. “Jack not only loves the game of football but his devotion to the student athletes is through the roof. Jack is a great individual and a great teacher of the game.”
Baker grew up in the county and played high school football for Doug Ross, who served as head football coach from 1983 to 1999 and was also the track coach.
“He was a very even-tempered man and coach who I respected a great deal,” said Baker. “He served as head football and track coach at James River for 17 years and did a good job in both sports.”
Jack played football and basketball and ran track at James River and excelled in all three. He’s in favor of kids playing multiple sports like he did.
“I loved all three in high school,” he said. “I think multiple sport athletes are critical in small schools. My high school experience in all three sports taught me that.”
After high school Jack played football at VMI, graduating in 1995. After graduation he spent a year as an assistant with Ross at James River in 1996, then helped Tony Hart with the Lord Botetourt team in ’97. The following year he returned to VMI as an assistant coach with the Keydets from 1998 until 2002.
Baker took his first of five head coaching positions in 2003 when he was hired to coach at Alleghany High School. He spent 10 years there, including a 9-3 season in 2010, before moving to Rustburg in 2013. Jack coached the Red Devils for eight years, highlighted by a 10-3 season in 2016 with two playoff wins.
Jack coached Parry McCluer for one season, 2021, finishing 9-4 with two playoff wins. The following year he moved to Nelson County. He took a team that had won just two games total the two years before he arrived and last year the Governors went 5-5. What’s more, Jack was the recipient of the Washington Commanders Coach of the Week award during week five of the 2023 high school season. He got to attend the Commanders game with the Dallas Cowboys and was introduced on the field prior to the game.
In winning the award the Commanders organization cited, “Coach Baker leaves a profound and lasting impact on every program he touches, elevating them to new heights. His commitment to his players extends well beyond high school as he has helped dozens of young athletes achieve their dream of playing college football and attaining a college education.”
A history teacher, Jack attributes much of his character to his father. John Baker coached at James River and was on the football staff at Bridgewater College when the Eagles played national Division III power Mount Union in the 2001 Stagg Bowl. Bridgewater battled the heavily favored Raiders into the fourth quarter before falling, 30-27, in front of one of the largest crowds ever at Salem Stadium. John passed in 2016 at age 79.
“My father had a huge impact on me,” said Jack. “I learned to love football because of him. But, more importantly, learned to give my best in all things, respect other people and have high expectations for myself. He gave an enormous amount of himself to those around him. My brother, sister and I were lucky to have parents who pushed us and didn’t accept excuses but loved us unconditionally.”
Jack is excited to be back in Botetourt County and is anxious to put a staff together and get to work on the 2025 season.
“I can’t wait to get started,” he said. “I wish I could start working with the team full time immediately. I look forward to meeting the coaches at James River and filling out a football staff. It will be important for me to find good football teachers who care about kids, want to build relationships with them and be proud to coach at James River High School.”
