Head Cross Country Coach

Bio

Coach Jody Hale returned to the Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) Athletics Department in 2017 to lead the relaunch of the women's Cross Country program, bringing with him a lifetime of achievement, championship experience, and an unwavering commitment to student-athlete success. His relationship with FSCJ spans more than four decades—as a student-athlete, assistant coach, alumnus, and head coach—making him one of the most influential figures in the history of the College's cross country and track & field programs.

A Jacksonville native, Hale began his running career at Englewood High School before continuing at FSCJ (then Florida Junior College). Arriving as a walk-on, he earned the respect of his teammates through determination and leadership, ultimately serving as team captain while receiving All-District and All-Region honors. He continued his academic and athletic career at Delta State University, where he earned All-Gulf South Conference and NCAA Division II Academic All-American honors while also serving as an assistant Cross Country coach.

Hale first joined the FSCJ coaching staff from 1982 to 1995 as assistant coach for the cross country and track & field programs under legendary Hall of Fame coach Larry Monts. During that remarkable era, the FSCJ women's Cross Country program captured consecutive NJCAA National Championships in 1982 and 1983, while Hale helped develop numerous individual national champions and more than 50 NJCAA All-Americans. Those years established a championship tradition that continues to define FSCJ Athletics.

He later spent 11 years as assistant cross country and track & field coach at St. Johns Country Day School alongside nationally respected distance coach Jay Birmingham. During his tenure, the program won nine FHSAA District Championships, two Regional Championships, produced multiple state and regional champions, six All-State relay teams, and more than 220 All-District athletes, further cementing Hale's reputation as one of Northeast Florida's premier coaches and mentors.

Since returning to FSCJ as head cross country coach, Hale has guided the Manta Rays back to national prominence. His teams have produced an NJCAA All-American, five NJCAA All-Region performers, eight All-Mid-Florida Conference selections, and five nationally ranked Top 20 teams. Under his leadership, FSCJ student-athletes have earned NJCAA Region 8 Athlete of the Year, USTFCCCA Atlantic Region Athlete of the Year, NATYCAA National Scholar-Athlete of the Year, NJCAA Region 8 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and Region 8 Championship honors. The program has also received the NJCAA Cross Country Coaches Association All-America Scholar Team Award eleven times, while more than 40 student-athletes have been recognized for academic excellence by the Mid-Florida Conference, FCSAA, and NJCAA. In 2025, the FSCJ men's Cross Country team finished No. 1 in the nation in the USTFCCCA Team GPA rankings, reflecting Coach Hale's belief that championship programs are built through excellence in both the classroom and competition.

Throughout his career, Coach Hale has remained grounded in the values instilled by his mentors, Larry Monts and Jay Birmingham. Their influence shaped a coaching philosophy centered on servant leadership, discipline, integrity, and the pursuit of excellence. Hale considers it both an honor and a responsibility to carry forward their legacy while preparing student-athletes to succeed not only as competitors, but as scholars, leaders, and professionals.

Coach Hale earned an Associate of Arts degree from Florida State College at Jacksonville, a Bachelor of Science in Education from Delta State University, and a Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology from the University of Florida. He holds USATF Level 1 and Level 2 coaching certifications, certifications in Sports Specific Strength and Power and Principles of Endurance Training, is a USTFCCCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES).

Coach Jody Hale's career reflects a rare combination of competitive excellence, coaching achievement, academic leadership, and enduring service to Florida State College at Jacksonville. His impact extends far beyond championships, measured in the generations of student-athletes whose lives have been shaped by his leadership and dedication to the enduring ideals of collegiate athletics.