“They wanted me to go professional, but they wanted me to, like, you know, move away from family, kind of how, um, Gabby Douglas did. But you know, that Black household—my parents weren’t going for that, so they turned it down,” Tia Jones shared on the YouTube podcast “The Pregame Podcast with Tokyo and Sydnee” in November 2024. It shows the love and respect Jones has for her parents and her family.
At the 2024 USATF Indoor Championships, Tia Jones was on fire—she matched the world record in the prelims with a blazing 7.67 seconds, then followed it up with a 7.68 in the finals to take the win. But the celebration was short-lived. As she crossed the finish line, she crashed into the pads and suffered a brutal ACL injury that ended her season right there.
Jones didn’t stay down for long. After undergoing ACL reconstruction, she was back in training just 10 weeks later—in May 2024. Fast forward to 2025, and she was back in action at the Kingston Grand Slam Track, running the 100m hurdles in 12.63 seconds. A tough comeback, but vintage Tia. But one question comes: who is behind this feat, backing her up? Let’s find out.
Who is the father of Tia Jones? Meet coach Tyronne Jones
Tia Jones’s remarkable journey in track and field is deeply intertwined with the guidance and support of her father, Tyronne Jones. A former standout wide receiver, Tyronne was named SWAC Player of the Year at Grambling State University and enjoyed a decade-long career in the Arena Football League. His athletic background laid a strong foundation for mentoring Tia.
Their story began when Tia, at just eight years old, expressed frustration after a race loss and declared her desire to train seriously. Recognizing her determination, Tyronne incorporated her into training sessions alongside her older brother, Tyree. This early commitment led to Tia’s rapid ascent in the sport, including setting a national high school record in the 100m hurdles as a freshman.
Tyronne’s coaching philosophy emphasized versatility, encouraging Tia to engage in various track and field events to build a comprehensive athletic skill set. His approach not only honed her technical abilities but also instilled resilience and humility. Even as Tia achieved national recognition, Tyronne ensured she remained grounded, often reminding her of the importance of hard work and perseverance.
Today, Tyronne continues to be a pivotal figure in Tia’s career, offering both professional coaching and unwavering parental support. Their enduring partnership exemplifies the profound impact of familial bonds in the pursuit of athletic excellence. Being a father and coach, Tyronne Jones helped her to make what she is.
How has he helped Tia Jones excel to greatness?
Tyronne Jones, Tia Jones’s father and coach, has been instrumental in shaping her into one of the nation’s top hurdlers. A former standout wide receiver at Grambling State University, Tyronne was named SWAC Player of the Year and enjoyed a decade-long career in the Arena Football League. His athletic background provided a strong foundation for mentoring Tia.
Their journey together began when Tia, at just eight years old, expressed frustration after a race loss and declared her desire to train seriously. Recognizing her determination, Tyronne incorporated her into training sessions alongside her older brother, Tyree. This early commitment led to Tia’s rapid ascent in the sport, including setting a national high school record in the 100m hurdles as a freshman.
Tyronne’s coaching philosophy emphasized versatility, encouraging Tia to engage in various track and field events to build a comprehensive athletic skill set. His approach not only honed her technical abilities but also instilled resilience and humility. Even as Tia achieved national recognition, Tyronne ensured she remained grounded, often reminding her of the importance of hard work and perseverance.
Today, Tyronne continues to be a pivotal figure in Tia’s career, offering both professional coaching and unwavering parental support. Their enduring partnership exemplifies the profound impact of familial bonds in the pursuit of athletic excellence.
The post Who Are the Parents of Hurdles Star Tia Jones? Everything to Know About Them appeared first on EssentiallySports.
