Danny Britt reached 200 career football wins. Julie Jones reached 900 in volleyball.
The numbers mark remarkable careers. But for both coaches, the deeper reward comes from the people who have shared the journey.
Britt earned win No. 200 on Oct. 2, when Benedictine beat Evans 48-10 at Memorial Stadium. He has won 168 games at Benedictine and 32 at Calvary Day.
Benedictine football coach Danny Britt, center, celebrates his 200th career win with his wife, Stephanie, left, and daughter Southern, right. His daughter Sailor was unable to attend. (Photo courtesy of Benedictine Military School Communications Department Director Noell Barnedge.)
He never started coaching with a milestone in mind.
“I got into coaching, honestly, because I wanted football to continue after I was done playing at Georgia Southern. Through sports, I realized I fell in love with coaching kids and being around them. I don’t think I ever thought I’d end up winning 200 games, state championships and all that. It’s kind of like a dream for me,” Britt said.
At times, Britt wondered how long he would keep coaching. He stepped away for two years, then returned. The leadership and the people around him
helped bring him back.
“I’ve always enjoyed the camaraderie with the coaches and the leadership aspect of it, leading young men and other coaches,” Britt said. “That’s really what makes me stay in coaching.”
Britt said Friday nights can be stressful, with every detail weighing on a coach. What keeps him coming back is time with his players and fellow coaches.
“I don’t like Friday nights. They’re miserable because you’re so worried about everything and have to worry about every detail. But I just enjoy being around the kids and the other coaches,” Britt said. “I never developed a hobby because I’ve always spent my time doing this.”
And sometimes, years later, former players tell him what that time meant to them.
“When those guys and their families come up and tell you, ‘Hey, love you, Coach. Appreciate you, Coach,’ that is what it means most,” Britt said. “That’s why we do this.”
Jones reached 900 career wins last week. She was recognized before Savannah Christian’s Oct. 1 match against McIntosh Academy. She has coached at her high school alma mater for 29 years.
Savannah Christian volleyball coach Julie Jones, third from right, celebrates her 900th career win with her family. From left are her son-in-law, Preston Gunnell; daughter, Logan Gunnell; husband, Jeff Jones; daughter, Landon McBurnett; and son-in-law, Trevor McBurnett. (Photo courtesy of the Savannah Christian Preparatory School Athletic Department.)
Jones always knew she wanted to coach, but never imagined attaining this milestone. She also did not expect to coach her daughters. She coached them for eight straight years.
The season after her youngest daughter graduated felt strange. Then Jones realized she was still coaching for the reason she started: she loved it.
“I quickly realized, though, that I don’t coach because I have to. I coach because I love it,” Jones said. “I love the athletes, I love the challenges, and honestly, I feel like coaching keeps me young!”
For Jones, the connections last well beyond the final match.
“When I look back over the years, it’s the relationships that mean the most to me. It’s the letters, texts, and messages from players years later. It’s seeing former athletes become incredible adults and knowing that, in some small way, I got to be part of their journey,” Jones said.
Britt hears former players say, “Love you, Coach.” Jones still hears from athletes years after they leave Savannah Christian and still loves coaching. Their records mark the milestones. But for Britt and Jones, the relationships they have built through coaching are what make the work most rewarding.
Photos courtesy of Noell Barnedge, director of communications at Benedictine Military School, and the Savannah Christian Preparatory School Athletic Department.
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