John Gere Jayne (May 12, 1874 – September 6, 1920) was an American attorney and college sports coach. He served as the head football and baseball coach for the Sewanee Tigers of Sewanee: The University of the South.
Early Life and Education
Jayne was born in Berwick, Pennsylvania, the son of Samuel Carver Jayne (a bank cashier) and Hattie Gere. His maternal great-aunt was the aunt of U.S. President Grover Cleveland. He attended Princeton University, where he earned his law degree and played baseball as a pitcher and outfielder. He graduated in June 1897.
Coaching Career
Sewanee (1897–1898)
Jayne's first season coaching the Sewanee Tigers football team in 1897 was the worst in the program's history, with a record of 1–3–1. However, the following year, he led the 1898 Sewanee Tigers to an undefeated 4–0 record (3–0 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association) and an SIAA championship, outscoring opponents 56 to 4.
North Carolina (1899–1900)
After his tenure at Sewanee, Jayne served as an assistant coach for the University of North Carolina football team.
Head Coaching Record
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1897 | Sewanee | 1–3–1 | 1–2–1 | — |
| 1898 | Sewanee | 4–0 | 3–0 | 1st (SIAA) |
| Total | 5–3–1 | 4–2–1 |
Later Life
After his coaching career, Jayne practiced law. He died on September 6, 1920, in Berwick, Pennsylvania, at the age of 46, and is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Berwick.
