JC JETS COACHES

Coach TJ ORR enters his 9th season with the James Clemens coaching staff, where he will continue to lead the Jets’ pitching staff. Under his guidance, James Clemens pitchers have shattered both individual and career records in multiple categories, including games started, wins, strikeouts, ERA, WHIP, and opponents’ batting average. His leadership has been instrumental in the program’s pitching success, and in 2024, Coach Orr was recognized as the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year.

Before joining James Clemens, Coach Orr served as head coach at Hazel Green High School (2010-2014) and Liberty Middle School (2006-2009). His previous coaching experience also includes four seasons as the pitching coach for the University of Alabama-Huntsville (2003-2006), head coach in the Lawrence County School System (1999-2002), and assistant coach at Hartselle High School.

A former player himself, Coach Orr was a standout at Hartselle High School, where he was part of three state championship teams from 1989 to 1993. He continued his baseball career at Calhoun Community College (1994-1995), earning All-JUCO Tournament Team honors in 1995, before playing at the University of Alabama-Huntsville (1996-1997). He was also recognized with the Team Player Award in 1994.

Coach Orr holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Athens State University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Middle Tennessee State University. Alongside his coaching career, he has taught social studies and history, including leading the Developing Teachers as Historians program from 2008 to 2013, which provided professional development at both the local and district levels.

Coach Orr and his wife, Nicole, are proud parents of their daughter, Ainslee, and son, Freddie. He currently teaches World History and Macroeconomics at James Clemens and is proud to be part of the Jets family.

Coach BRETT BURGESS is entering his 5th season with the James Clemens coaching staff, overseeing the program’s hitters and working with the varsity outfielders. Under his guidance, Jets hitters have set numerous individual season records, including games played, plate appearances, triples, runs scored, walks, and stolen bases.

Before joining the Jets, Coach Burgess coached at Cherokee County High School (AL) and Pepperell High School (GA). As a player, he finished his collegiate career as an outfielder at Georgia Southwestern State University, after starting at Snead State Community College.

A native of Centre, AL, Coach Burgess was a standout athlete at Cherokee County High School, earning All-State honors in both football and baseball. He also helped lead his team to the 2009 4A football state championship.

Coach Burgess holds a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Alabama (2020). He currently teaches Economics and US History I at James Clemens. 

Coach Burgess and his wife, Lucy, were married in 2019 and are proud parents to daughter Rosalie, and twin sons Wesley and Brooks.

Coach JUSTIN LYNCH is entering his 2nd season with the James Clemens Baseball program, where he will serve as the head coach for the Junior Varsity team. 

He joins the Jets after three seasons as a varsity assistant coach at Scottsboro High School, where he also led the Junior High team in 2022 and the JV team in 2023. During his time with the Wildcats, Coach Lynch focused on developing infielders and base running.

In addition to his baseball coaching experience, Coach Lynch served as the head coach of the 17U Vipers Baseball Academy team in the summer of 2021. He has also contributed to football coaching, working as a varsity assistant in 2021 and head coach of the Junior High football team in 2022.

A graduate of Scottsboro High School, Coach Lynch was a standout multi-sport athlete, excelling in baseball, basketball, and football. He was a four-year varsity baseball starter, breaking several individual records and helping lead his team to the playoffs in three of those seasons.

Coach Lynch earned his degree from Lee University (TN), where he met his wife, Cassie. At James Clemens, he teaches U.S. History II and also serves as the Head Coach of the Freshman Football team.

Coach CONNOR BROOKS joins the James Clemens High School baseball coaching staff after serving as the pitching coach at Hazel Green High School during the 2024 season. With a strong background as both a player and a coach, he brings valuable experience and expertise to our team.  He will assist Coach Orr with all aspects of the pitching staff, and be the primary assistant for the JV.

As a collegiate athlete, Coach Brooks began his career as a starting pitcher at Central Alabama Community College (2018-2019), where he played under head coach Larry Thomas. He then transferred to the University of West Alabama (2020-2021) to play for head coach Gary Rundles, earning his Bachelor’s degree in History. Continuing his education and baseball career, Coach Brooks transferred to the University of Alabama-Huntsville (2022-2023), where he completed his Master’s degree in Education while playing under head coach Hunter Royer. His dedication to his team and sport earned him the honor of being voted team captain by his teammates and coaches during his time at UAH.

Coach Brooks brings a deep-rooted passion for baseball, which he attributes to his family’s influence. A 2017 graduate of Benjamin Russell High School, he was coached by his father, ALABCA Hall of Fame coach Richy Brooks, and was named to the All-Region team as a first baseman and pitcher. His mother, Debbie, served as a principal for over 30 years and is currently headmaster at St. Michael’s Catholic School. His older brother, Caleb, is the head baseball coach at Pike Road High School, while his younger brother, Cade, plays baseball at UAH.

In addition to his role with the James Clemens baseball program, Coach Brooks is committed to the academic growth of his students as a social studies and history teacher at JCHS, where he teaches Economics.

Coach JODY DODD brings a wealth of experience to James Clemens High School in his first year with the Jets, following a distinguished 14-year tenure at Buckhorn High School.  He will serve as the Freshman team head coach at JC.

At Buckhorn, he held multiple key coaching roles, including Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, Middle School Baseball Coach, Head Freshman Baseball Coach, and Head JV Baseball Coach. His leadership extended beyond the field as he served as the Director of Baseball Operations during his final two years, including the 2022 season when Buckhorn reached the quarterfinals, tying the school record for the deepest playoff run before falling to the eventual state champion, Hartselle.

Coach Dodd's extensive coaching journey also includes serving as the Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Florence High School, along with teaching and coaching roles at Bradshaw High School and Lauderdale County High School. His dedication to student-athletes' growth and development has defined his career, making him a valuable addition to the James Clemens coaching staff.

In addition to his work with the baseball program, Coach Dodd contributes to James Clemens as a Driver Education instructor and coaches the tight ends on the varsity football team, exemplifying his commitment to the school community.

Outside of coaching, Coach Dodd enjoys spending quality time with his family. He and his wife, Erica, are proud parents of three children: Gavin, who serves as a basketball manager for the men’s basketball team at the University of Alabama; Gunner, pitcher at Shelton State Community College; and Kyndall Lynn, a student at Hazel Green High School.

Coach RHYS HARTUNG enters his 7th year with the James Clemens baseball program, serving as an assistant coach for the Freshman team and overseeing catchers for the entire Jets program. 

A former catcher himself, Coach Hartung represented the United States Marine Corps as a catcher for the Marine Corps Pacific Northwest Baseball Team in 2001 and 2002. He was selected to the All Marine West Coast All-Stars in 2002, where he led all catchers with a .296 batting average and 17 stolen bases. He continued his playing career as a member of the Joint Services Military All-Star Team in 2003 and 2004, competing against Division I college, Minor League, and Major League teams.

Following his service, Coach Hartung began his coaching career at his alma mater, Costa Mesa High School (CA), where he coached for three years. He later coached at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, California, in 2016 before moving to Alabama.

In addition to coaching at James Clemens, Coach Hartung serves on the board of directors for the Madison Baseball Association, and playing for the Huntsville Barbarians in the Southern Senior Baseball League.  He has two sons, Konnor and Kaeden.