Akron East football adds Doran Grant to coaching staff

Doran Grant during his Ohio State football years. (Photo: Evan Habeeb/USATODAY)

AKRON, Ohio - Doran Grant is sticking with his roots and has joined the football staff at Akron East. He will be under the tutelage of head coach Marques Hayes, coaching defensive backs and wide receivers, as announced on social media. 

Grant recently completed a head coaching position at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary during the previous season, where his record was 1-18 over two seasons. 

Former St. Vincent-St. Mary Head Coach moves cross-town to join the East Dragons. @alleastsports @APSathletics1 pic.twitter.com/08c1x5XaVK

— Ohio High School Football/Basketball Media (@OHSFBMedia) December 17, 2025

He has connections to Akron East, as his father, Ted Jones Sr., was a prominent player for the school in the mid-70s and subsequently played at Michigan State before eventually joining the USFL. 

"I just feel East is on the rise," said Grant to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. "They had a pretty solid season. They have nice talent over there, and Coach Hayes has been doing a great job building that culture and building that team up. I just want to be a part of it and see what I can do to help out the Akron East community." 

Grant played at STVM, then went on to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes, winning a national championship in 2014, before eventually moving on to the NFL.