STAFF REPORT
The Lansing community is mourning the loss of legendary Everett High School basketball coach Johnny Jones, who passed away on April 29, 2025, at the age of 75. Jones, a beloved figure in Michigan high school athletics, leaves behind a legacy defined by championship success and an unwavering commitment to mentoring young lives.
Over a 32-year coaching career at Everett High School, Jones guided both the girls’ and boys’ basketball programs to state titles. He led the girls’ team to back-to-back championships in 2000 and 2001, and brought home a boys’ state title in 2004. Beyond the trophies, Jones was known for his remarkable leadership and the values he instilled in generations of student-athletes.
We lost a one of a kind individual. Johnnie you were an inspiration to so many of us and I will repay your kindness in…
Posted by Daren Look on Tuesday, April 29, 2025
His dedication earned him numerous accolades, including the Associated Press’s Class A Girls Basketball Coach of the Year and MHSAA Region 6 Coach of the Year. But to many, his greatest achievements were found in the character of the young men and women he helped shape.
A public “Celebration of Life” memorial was held on May 10 at Everett High School, where hundreds gathered to honor the man who had become a cornerstone of the school’s athletic and educational legacy.
NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a Lansing native, also paid tribute to Jones. “Johnny Jones was not only a friend but a powerful influence in our community,” Johnson said. “His legacy will live on in the lives of everyone he touched.”
Coach Johnny Jones is remembered not just for victories on the court, but for the lasting spirit of unity, discipline, and compassion he brought to Lansing Everett and beyond.
Coach Johnny Jones was a friend of mine from Lansing whose impact and legacy will resonate throughout the region for many years to come. He led Everett, my former high school, to back-to-back women’s basketball championships in 2000 and 2001 and later led the men’s basketball… pic.twitter.com/Ir1IOJUlnh
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 7, 2025