The 2025-2026 class of the Dallas ISD Athletic Hall of Fame features eight legendary individuals who have made a fundamental impact on sports in the district and beyond. The induction ceremony is slated for Friday, April 10, at Ellis Davis Fieldhouse.
This year’s class of inductees includes:
Charletta Gaines – A 1986 graduate of South Oak Cliff High School, Gaines is a three-time UIL state championship track & field coach at James Madison High School. She also previously coached at South Oak Cliff and has served Dallas ISD for many years as a campus counselor.
Abner Haynes – A 1956 Lincoln High School graduate, Haynes emerged as a pioneering football star and became one of the earliest standouts of the American Football League after being drafted by the Dallas Texans.
Chris Holt – A 1990 graduate of Skyline High School, Holt went on to professional baseball success after being drafted by the Houston Astros in 1992. He made his Major League debut in 1996 and was a part of three National League Central Division championships.
Goree Johnson – Head boys’ basketball at Justin F. Kimball High School from 1990 to 1998, Johnson led the Knights to back-to-back UIL state championships in 1996 and 1997 and was named the 1998 National Coach of the Year.
Leonard Jones – A 1965 graduate of Dr. L.G. Pinkston Sr. High School, Jones became a PGA professional golfer and devoted educator and mentor who championed minority participation in golf.
Percy Penn – A 1945 graduate of Crozier Tech High School, Penn was a multi-sport athlete who dedicated 35 years to Dallas ISD as a coach, teacher, and assistant principal at Sunset High School and Justin F. Kimball High School, while working as a football official.
Jonathan Scott – From David. W. Carter High School’s Class of 2001 to the national stage, Scott helped lead the University of Texas to a national championship. He went on to play nine professional seasons in the NFL, playing with the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, and Atlanta Falcons.
Jason Smith – Rising from W.T. White High School’s Class of 2004 to national prominence, Smith earned All-America honors at Baylor University, played in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams, New York Jets, and New Orleans Saints before becoming a collegiate football coach.
To be selected for Dallas ISD’s Athletic Hall of Fame, individuals must exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and moral character. Inductees were selected for their striking accomplishments and undisputed impact while advancing school athletics. Their successes are not limited to Dallas ISD borders. They have achieved recognition at the local, state, national, and international levels.
The induction ceremony will be open to the public. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
Charletta Gaines
Charletta Gaines is a distinguished educator and championship track & field coach whose career in Dallas ISD spans more than three decades. A standout athlete at South Oak Cliff High School, she was a Texas Class 5A 4×100-meter relay state champion and record holder in 1986 and a state finalist in the 100 meters. She went on to compete at the University of North Texas, earning All-America honors in the 4×100 relay, qualifying for the NCAA championships, and winning the Southland Conference 200-meter title in 1991. She later earned a Master of Education in Counseling from East Texas A&M University. Gaines began coaching at South Oak Cliff High School before serving as head girls track and cross country coach at James Madison High School from 1996 to 2008. During her 12-year tenure, she built one of Texas’ premier Class 3A programs, leading Madison to three UIL state championships (1997, 2006, 2007), including back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. Her teams produced numerous individual state champions, and she was named Southwestern Association Coach of the Year. She also served with USA Track & Field as an assistant manager, coach, and running referee for Junior World Championship teams. Beyond championships, Gaines is known for her mentorship and advocacy for student success. She continues to serve Dallas ISD as a school counselor and rejoined the staff at James Madison High School.
Abner Haynes
Abner Haynes (1937–2024) was a pioneering football star and one of the early standouts of the American Football League. Born in Denton, Texas, he became one of the first Black athletes to integrate a major college football program in Texas when he enrolled at North Texas State College, now the University of North Texas, in 1956. He earned All-America honors and set multiple school records during an exceptional collegiate career. Haynes began his professional career in 1960 with the Dallas Texans in the AFL’s inaugural season, leading the league in rushing and earning both most valuable player and rookie of the year honors. Known for his versatility as a runner, receiver, and return specialist, he later played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. He rushed for more than 4,000 yards, scored 46 touchdowns, earned multiple AFL All-Star selections, and helped lead the Chiefs to the 1962 AFL Championship. A trailblazer on and off the field, Haynes helped break racial barriers in Texas football and paved the way for future generations.
Chris Holt
Chris Holt is a Skyline High School graduate and former Major League Baseball pitcher whose career reflects athletic excellence and continued leadership in the game. After a standout high school career, he starred at Navarro College and was selected by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 1992 MLB Draft. Holt made his major league debut on Sept. 2, 1996, and pitched four seasons with the Houston Astros. In his 1997 rookie season, he went 8-12 with a 3.52 earned run average over 210 innings. From 1997-2000, he compiled a 21-41 record with a 4.51 ERA in 103 starts. He was part of an Astros era that won three consecutive National League Central Division titles, including a 102-win season in 1998. Traded to the Detroit Tigers before the 2001 season, Holt finished with a 9-7 record and later played two seasons in Japan for the Yokohama BayStars. Following his playing career, Holt transitioned into coaching and mentoring youth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, continuing his commitment to the game of baseball.
Goree Johnson
Goree Johnson is a celebrated Texas educator, coach, and athletic administrator whose basketball career spans more than 25 years of excellence. Born in Centerville, Texas, he starred at Frederick Douglass High School before earning a scholarship to Bishop College. After serving four years in the United States Army, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in 1971 and later earned a master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University. Johnson served 21 years as a high school head coach, compiling a remarkable 607-117 record, one of the top winning percentages. He led programs at Wilmer-Hutchins, Garland (as the district’s first Black head basketball coach), Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Justin F. Kimball high schools. At Kimball, he guided the Knights to back-to-back state championships in 1996 and 1997. His honors include National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year (1998) and multiple district and Metro Coach of the Year awards, while mentoring numerous All-Americans and future NBA players. Beyond the wins, Johnson emphasized discipline, teamwork, and life preparation. He later continued his service in Dallas ISD in athletic administration, leaving a legacy of leadership and mentorship.
Leonard Jones
Leonard Jones is a former PGA professional golfer, educator, and mentor whose career blends competitive success with decades of service to the game. A graduate of Dr. L.G. Pinkston Sr. High School, he went on to play collegiate golf at Prairie View A&M University, where he distinguished himself as a standout student-athlete. Jones competed professionally for more than a decade, earning multiple victories before dedicating his career to instruction and youth development. As a golf instructor and program director, he championed minority participation in the sport and introduced countless young people to the game through clinics and community initiatives. He has been inducted into the Prairie View A&M University Sports Hall of Fame, Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, National Black Golf Hall of Fame, and the Pinkston Hall of Fame. His legacy reflects competitive excellence, mentorship, and a commitment to expanding opportunity in golf.
Percy J. Penn
Percy Penn (1927-2014) was a respected Dallas ISD educator, coach, and football official whose career spanned 35 years. A graduate of Crozier Technical High School, he excelled as a multi-sport athlete before serving in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He later attended Southern Methodist University on a football scholarship, competing in football and baseball, earning his degree in 1950. Penn began his career at Crozier Tech and went on to serve as a teacher, coach, and assistant principal at several Dallas ISD schools, including Sunset and Justin F. Kimball high schools. He also built a distinguished career as a football official, working high school and collegiate games across multiple conferences, serving in the United States Football League, and officiating Dallas Cowboys practices. Penn is remembered for his integrity, discipline, and lasting legacy on generations of students and athletes.
Jonathan Scott
Jonathan Ray Scott is a former David W. Carter High School standout, University of Texas All-American, and NFL veteran whose career reflects championship success at every level. A three-sport athlete at Carter, he earned national recognition in the inaugural U.S. Army All-American Bowl before continuing his career at The University of Texas at Austin. From 2002-2005, Scott started 45 games for the Longhorns and earned unanimous first-team All-America honors in 2005, helping lead Texas to a 13-0 season and victory in the 2006 Rose Bowl to secure the BCS National Championship. He was later inducted into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor. Selected in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Scott played nine seasons with the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, and Atlanta Falcons. He started at left tackle for the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV at AT&T Stadium. Since retiring, Scott has remained active in business and mentorship, continuing to lead and inspire beyond the field.
Jason Smith
Jason Kyle Smith is a former standout at W.T. White High School, a Baylor University All-American, and an NFL offensive lineman who has transitioned into collegiate coaching. At W.T. White, he earned all-district honors before continuing to Baylor, where he became one of the nation’s top offensive tackles. As a senior, he earned first-team All-Big 12 Conference and All-America honors. He was later inducted into the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame. Smith graduated from Baylor in 2008 and was selected second overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, one of the highest draft picks in program history. He went on to play for the Rams, New York Jets, and New Orleans Saints before concluding his NFL career in 2014. He transitioned into coaching, serving in roles at the University of North Texas and Abilene Christian University, where he also earned a Master of Science in Sports Leadership. Smith recently joined the University of South Carolina as an assistant offensive line coach, continuing his impact as a mentor and leader.
