HighFIVE: Laura and Matt Jones

Coaches Laura and Matt Jones have cultivated a special community at Regis High School

Tennis has always been a part of Laura and Matt Jones’s lives, separately and together. Both raised in Cincinnati, they were introduced to each other by a tennis family when they were teaching at different clubs. That meeting led to a marriage (40 years next year!), five children, six grandchildren and a coaching dynasty at Colorado’s Regis Jesuit High School.

This past fall, the Regis boys’ tennis team had a historic season. Not only did they win the 5A state title, but they also won six individual state titles, had their full roster earn CHSAA 5A All State Team honors, their No. 1 singles player was named the 5A Player of the Year and head coach, Laura Jones, was named the 5A Coach of the Year. When asked about the season, Coach Jones said, “We worked hard all year. We added a bunch of new kids to our team. We had four returners, so that left us with seven new varsity players this year. From the get-go, we went to work.” With so many new players, a veteran coaching staff can make a huge difference and Laura’s 40 years of coaching, along with Matt’s seasoned guidance, certainly played a huge part in the team’s success, along with the input of the other assistant coaches. 

Laura started her high school coaching career when she was hired as math teacher in 1985 in Cincinnati. Matt’s job resulted in a transfer to Colorado in 2009, and Laura started teaching math and coaching the boys’ team at Regis the following year (she also coached the girls’ team for three years). Laura says “High school coaching, like teaching, is highly rewarding. The relationships we form with players and families last forever. Seeing young men and women grow and prosper, not only in high school, but beyond, is a great gift.” 

Having the combination of Laura and Matt has been invaluable to Regis tennis and is the cornerstone of the success of the program. While Laura takes on the head coaching duties, which often entail responsibilities off the court, Matt is an integral part of player development, using skills that he gained in his nine years as the Head Pro for Junior Development at Queen City Racquet Club in Cincinnati where he coached, trained, and traveled with more than 100 nationally ranked juniors. Laura says, “Our players look to Matt for current, insightful assistance in the areas of winning strategies, strokes and techniques.”

And the results of what Laura and Matt, and many other coaches over the years, have created at Regis are remarkable. In the 16 years since the Jones’ have been part of the program, the boys’ teams have won 15 league titles, four state titles, several state runner-up trophies, multiple Player of the Year awards (some back-to-back) and four Coach of the Year honors for Laura. While all of these accolades are impressive, Laura’s fondest memories are around the boys leaving Regis and moving on to the next phase of their lives. “I love the annual signing ceremonies, when seniors make their decisions to take their talents to the college level. It is always a very proud moment for me as a coach” she says.

In 2024, Regis opened a new tennis facility and Court 1 was named in honor of Laura. Laura retired from the classroom in 2023 and one day, she and Matt will hang up their coaching hats, but Laura’s name on Court 1 will remain as a reminder of the program they built at Regis and the young men they helped shape.

To follow the Regis boys’ tennis team, visit their Instagram account @regisjesuitbtennis.

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