H-L grad Jordyn Jury takes over Blue Jackets boys basketball program

The Battle of Bullfrog Road will take on a bit more meaning for the 2025-26 boys basketball season and beyond as Jordyn Jury accepted the position of New Riegel boys basketball coach.He was approved by the board of education Wednesday night. The reason for the extra meaning: Jury is a 2020 Hopewell-Loudon graduate. He also played for his dad, Roger, who is still the head coach for the Chieftains. A father vs. son matchup is brewing December 5 at New Riegel."Growing up my dream was to play college basketball. When I got to junior high or even my freshman year in high school, I realized basketball isn't going to be a forever thing," Jordyn said. "But I realized if I coached, it could be. "I changed my plan from going to the NBA to being a head coach. I knew I wanted to be a head coach of a program eventually, but when this opportunity presented itself, which they also had a teaching position open, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."Jury attended Lake Erie out of high school, but that was during the COVID-19 Pandemic, so he then transferred to Heidelberg, which turned into a medical redshirt season. Then came the chance for him and his younger brother, Ried, to play together again – this time in college at Defiance. The two also coach together for the AAU program One True Hoops."I'm just really proud of him. He's done such a great job as a player in college, he runs his own AAU program and as a parent you always get a little nervous when your kids venture out, but this was a great opportunity," Roger Jury said. "It's a great opportunity because we know the kind of kids, parents and community New Riegel is, which is similar to Hopewell. "I know he's young (23 years old), but he's a coach's kid and he always wants to learn. I know he had a lot of interest in the area about coaches wanted him to join their staffs whether it was as a JV coach or an assistant, so he comes highly recommended from me."Education and basketball runs deep in the Jury family, and Jordyn is keeping that passion strong and alive. "It means a lot to me and my wife, who are both teachers. Education is such a rewarding profession," Roger said. "It more than pays the bills, but it also builds relationships with kids, parents, and it's been a blessing to us. "It was great that Jordyn and Ried actually liked basketball because they grew up in the gym or in the car on the way to games. I still have a paper with Jordyn's handwriting on it from when he was in Kindergarten where he was trying to scout another team. I'm very proud of him and he deserves everything he gets because he's put himself into this position."Jordyn, who graduated college last spring, is getting closer to obtaining his masters as he is substitute teaching at the moment, but will take a teaching position at New Riegel as well.Him playing New Riegel twice a year in high school and coming back to support his dad and alma mater the past few seasons, it won't be a tough transition."Once I get in front of the boys, I want to establish that connection between a coach and a player. I really want them to understand my philosophy, which is big on accountability," Jordyn said. "I'm big on brotherhood … what name is on the front of the jersey is more important than the back. "Hopefully I can take them above and beyond where they're currently at. I know especially a district without football, we just need to get into the gym as much as possible, really emphasize that love of basketball. It's a basketball town, we have to get it back to that."Surely Jordyn has adopted some things from his dad when it comes to coaching, but he said his teams will be expected to play with some pace and not running many plays or sets. Instead, getting his players to play freely and make the right decisions on the court.While Ried still needs some time before he exits his red and gray attire, the date of December 5 is already circled. It will be a rivalry matchup like usual, but with a different feel. The emotion might be a bit more ramped up as well."Everyone already had that date marked," Jordyn said. "It will be a lot of fun. Some of the Hopewell players play for my AAU teams, so when I broke them the news, the trash talking already started, so it's a lot of excitement. I mean it's already The Battle of Bullfrog Road, but with how close the communities are to each other and now this year with me and dad competing, it will take it to another level."Roger added: "I'm sure I will go through a whole gambit of emotions that night. It will be awesome to see him meet his goal, and with me still coaching as well, but it will be a competitive 32 minutes with my team vs. his team. After, I'm sure we'll go back to being family and friends."But depending on the outcome of the game, Jordyn did say he might have to sleep at his grandparents house.