Former Arena Football star Johnny “Jay Lo” Loper to debut as varsity boys hoops coach at Memphis-area FACS
Andre Johnson 
LOCKED & LOADED
During a stellar, well-documented athletic career that spans more than three decades, Johnny “Jay Lo” Loper has steadfastly relied heavily on his faith.
Much to his delight, it is steadily benefiting him mightily.
Loper’s latest milestone: the former college and minor league football standout has been named head varsity boys basketball coach for First Assembly Christian School, a Shelby-Metro, accredited Christian educational institution that is based in Cordova, Tennessee.
Loper’s debut as the Crusaders’ head man begins November 17 when FACS host DeSoto County Academy.
FAMILY FOCUS
A native of Waynesboro, Mississippi, Loper is a Physical Education and Wellness instructor who also serves as an assistant coach for FACS’s football program.
During an interview this week with Making Headline News, Loper said assuming a head basketball coaching role comes amid what he refers to as the belief that athletics can be “a powerful vessel for faith and personal growth.”
“My coaching philosophy centers on mentorship, teamwork, and spiritual strength, equipping student-athletes to play with purpose, lead with humility, and honor God in all they do,” Loper told MHN.
Dr. Bryan Sanders, Head of School at First Assembly Christian, deemed it a foregone conclusion to name Loper to lead the Crusaders’ basketball program.
“We are truly grateful to have coach Loper continue his purpose as a member of our FACS family,” Dr. Sanders said. “His faith-centered leadership and passion for building servant-hearted leaders will continue to inspire our players, families, and community. May this new season be filled with unity, growth, and the joy that comes from striving together toward excellence — on and off the court.”
By all accounts, Loper boasts a wealth of experience as a rising basketball coach.
In 2020, he established Jay Lo Sports United, a Mid-South-area competitive basketball organization created to give every young athlete — not just the most recognized — an opportunity to compete, grow, and discover their God-given potential. Through this amateur hoop program, Loper has coached and guided more than 500 youngsters across Desoto County and Memphis, “building champions” on the court and in character.
Loper’s post-football career began in1999, during which he was as a personal trainer at Columbia Athletic Club in South Carolina. To his credit, he quickly discovered that “true strength extends beyond physical ability.”
“It’s built through discipline, integrity, and heart.” Loper said.
Interestingly enough, Loper, over the past 27 years, has garnered numerous awards in the ever-evolving health and wellness field, although he admits his greatest rewards come from witnessing transformation in the lives of those he mentors.
From 1995-2000, Loper emerged as a wide receiver standout at South Carolina State University, a stint that had given way to him boasting lofty aspirations of making an NFL roster, in large part because he wanted to retire his mother from the factory job she had for years in his native hometown.
However, after accepting invites to audition for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers following a three-year stint with the now-defunct Memphis Xplorers of the arenafootball2 league, Loper’s dreams of embarking upon NFL riches ended abruptly when he failed to earn a spot on the teams’ 53-men rosters.
LEADER OF MEN
After retiring from the Professional Arena Football League in 2004, Loper allowed his talents and passion for athletics to lead him into entrepreneurship when he opened Jay Lo Fitness Studios.
After 10-plus years of overseeing the day-to-day operations of a flourishing business, Loper felt greatly inspired to return to coaching in 2015, thus turning his slew of sports-related experiences into a ministry, one that is centered largely on encouragement and leadership, he acknowledged.
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to makingheadlinenews@gmail.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.
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