Del City’s AD Robert Jones
VYPE: When did you take over as AD, and what was your professional background prior to this position?
Robert Jones: I took over as the AD/Head Football position in 2021. My professional background prior to taking the position was defensive coordinator for Del City HS, Head Boys Track for Del City HS, and Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for Del City.
VYPE: What is new in the athletic department, and are there any plans for future developments?
RJ: We just added brand new scoreboards at the football stadium and the basketball gym.
We also added brand new field turf to the baseball field and softball field. We also
resurfaced the tennis courts and added a new gate system surrounding the tennis
courts. We will start the construction and building of our indoor facility this upcoming
summer.
VYPE: Why is community support essential to an athletic department?
RJ: Community support is very important because I believe it takes a village of coaches,
parents, and community members to help student athletes to be successful. It takes
consistent mentoring and guidance from all these facets throughout a student athlete
high school career.
VYPE: What should parents of incoming freshmen know as their student-athletes prepare to compete at the varsity level?
RJ: I believe incoming freshmen parents should know it’s going to be a new and challenging
process for their kids as they transition into high school. There will be ups and downs
throughout the career but most importantly the focus has to be having great character &
great work ethic in the classroom and on the playing field.
VYPE: Which community partners and sponsors have supported your student-athletes this season?
RJ: Ortho Central, Oklahoma Sports Network, Davis Paint & Auto, FNB Community Bank,
Marco Pizza, and the Midwest City Beacon.
VYPE: Given the changing landscape of high school athletics, what is your perspective on the current state of prep sports in Oklahoma, and how can the experience be improved for students?
RJ: I believe the landscape of Oklahoma sports is in a positive state right now. I feel like the
competitive playing field is becoming more even across the board every year in all
sports. I feel like the new transfer rule has helped the students to have a choice of where
they would like to finish their high school career.
VYPE: What is the biggest challenge you face as an athletic director in 2026?
RJ: The biggest challenge I will face in 2026 is maintaining and staying consistent with our
success in all the sports at Del City HS. I have to make sure I surround our students
athletes with great head coaches and assistant coaches to make this goal possible.
VYPE: How do you enjoy spending your free time away from school?
RJ: I enjoy spending my free time watching live sporting events, watching live concerts,
traveling when I can and lifting weights and running.
VYPE: What advice would you give to a first-time athletic director taking over a program?
RJ: My advice to a first-time athletic director would be to control what you can control. Which is your attitude and effort you give every day to your athletes and coaches. Also surrounding yourself around people who will help and assist you in building a great athletic
department.
VYPE: What is your message to the senior class of 2026, and what would you like returning students to know?
RJ: My message to the senior class is to make sure you take pride in demonstrating the five
pillars of Commitment, Discipline, Effort, Pride, and Toughness in the classroom, the
playing field, and your personal life daily. And also, to control what you can control, which
are your attitude and effort.
