Henderson State University Athletics

One of the most influential figures in the history of Henderson State Athletics, Shawn Jones served as Athletics Director for the Reddies from 2014 to 2024 and led an era of unprecedented growth and success for the department. During his tenure as Athletics Director, Jones orchestrated over $10 million in facility upgrades, including the construction of two entirely new buildings — the Cabe Academic Success Center and the Ken Duke Golf Center — as well as upgraded turf at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium and the football practice field, the addition of lights and parking lots at both the baseball and softball facilities, full renovations of the Bettye Wallace Tennis Center and Wells Natatoriums, and major overhauls of the volleyball locker rooms at the Duke Wells Center.
 
On the fields of play, the Reddies soared under Jones' leadership and captured 15 Great American Conference Championships, 23 NCAA Tournament appearances, and four Central Region titles. Six different sports won championships during his decade as the Athletics Director, including football, men's basketball, and baseball. Academic success also skyrocketed for Henderson during Jones' tenure as the Reddies reached a cumulative department-wide GPA of 3.0 in the spring of 2017 — a mark they have not dropped below in the eight years since.
After a decade of service to the Reddies, Jones accepted the position of Senior Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer at the University of Southern Mississippi in December of 2023.