Jonathan M. Harris, Sr. is a native of New Orleans, La. who is in his sixth season as the Associate Head Coach for the Jackson State University men’s and women’s track and field program, his 13th season overall.
No newcomer to the Jackson State coaching ranks, Harris began his coaching career at the University in 2006 as a graduate assistant for the women’s track and field Program. While a graduate assistant, he helped to guide the team to two Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Outdoor SWAC Championships and one SWAC Indoor Track and Field Championship.
In 2010, Harris was named Assistant Men’s Track and Field Coach at Jackson State, coaching the sprints, hurdles, jumps and throws. From the time that he began as a graduate assistant in 2006 until the present day, he has used his coaching knowledge to coach 85 SWAC individual champions, 56 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Preliminary Qualifiers, three NCAA Indoor All-Americans, one NCAA Outdoor All-American and three SWAC record holders in the outdoor and indoor shot put (Hannah White) and javelin (Kymoi Norway). His extensive coaching knowledge stems from his experience as an athlete and his continued and constant coaching education.
Harris began his track and field career as a member of the New Orleans Comets USATF youth track team in 1998. As a member of this youth team, he competed in four USATF Outdoor National Junior Olympic Championships and won a bronze medal in the javelin. As a two-sport student-athlete in high school, Harris was All-State and All-District three years in both football and track and field. He was also named MVP for the Nokia Sugar Bowl and district and regional track meets.
In 2002, Harris received a full track and field scholarship to Jackson State and became a contributing member of the 2005 and 2006 SWAC Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championship teams. He was named first team All-SWAC in the discus, javelin, and shot put; however, track and field was not the only collegiate sport that he excelled in. Harris was also a two-year starter for the Jackson State football team as well.
As an athlete, Jonathan led by example with his hard work and dedication. As a coach, he takes his craft just as seriously, participating in professional development opportunities for coaches and having professional memberships in MAHPERD (Mississippi Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) and USA Track and Field, where he also has earned his Level 1 and Level 2 Coaching Certification from the USTFCCA (US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association).
Harris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 2007 from Jackson State and a Master of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 2010, also from Jackson State.
Harris and his wife Tamika have one child, Jonathan Jr., who is 13 years old.
