L. Oval Jaynes, Jr., a nationally respected leader in collegiate athletics whose career spanned more than five decades, passed away Sunday, May 24, 2026, after a lifetime dedicated to higher education, student-athletes, coaching, and athletic administration.
A native of Morganton, North Carolina, Jaynes graduated from Appalachian State University in 1962, where he was a two-sport standout in football and baseball. As a football player, he earned All-Conference and All-State honors and was recognized in Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities. He later earned a master's degree in educational administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jaynes spent more than 20 years in coaching, beginning at Myers Park High School, where he was part of two state championship football teams as an assistant coach. His college coaching career included stops at six different schools: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (graduate assistant), The Citadel (assistant football coach and wrestling coach), Wake Forest University (offensive coordinator), the University of South Carolina (associate coach), Gardner-Webb University (head coach), and the University of Wyoming (assistant coach). He served as offensive coordinator for the 1970 ACC Champion Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
He began his administrative career at Auburn University, serving as Assistant Athletic Director beginning in 1981 before being promoted to Associate Athletic Director in 1984.
Jaynes served as Director of Athletics at Colorado State University (1986-1991), the University of Pittsburgh (1991-1996), the University of Idaho (1996-1998), and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1998-2003). He later returned to collegiate athletics leadership in 2008 as Director of Athletics at Jacksonville State University, where he served until his retirement in 2011.
Known throughout the country for his energy, relationships, and mentorship, Jaynes influenced generations of coaches and administrators across collegiate athletics, as fifteen of his former staff members went on to become Athletic Directors at Division I institutions. Dozens of former staff members and players advanced into the coaching profession, including nationally recognized coaches such as Urban Meyer and Skip Holtz, while more than 61 former colleagues became NFL assistant coaches. Additionally, three of his former coaches became head coaches in the National Football League.
Throughout his career, Jaynes was deeply involved in national athletics governance and professional organizations. He served on numerous NCAA committees, including the NCAA Council and NCAA Nominating Committee, and was active in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), where he served on several leadership committees and as Third Vice-President of the Division I Athletic Directors Association during the 1995-96 academic year. He also served on the College Football Association Board of Directors and remained active in the American Football Coaches Association throughout his career.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to collegiate athletics, Jaynes received the General Robert R. Neyland Award for Lifetime Achievement from the All-American Football Foundation in 1999. He later received the Bill Wade Unsung Hero Award and was inducted into the NACDA Hall of Fame in 2012. Jaynes also received the Appalachian State University Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014 and the Special Service Award from the Appalachian State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.
Jaynes often described himself as "blessed to have the opportunity to live out my dream and work in college athletics my entire life." His legacy will live on through the countless student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and institutions he impacted throughout an extraordinary career.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Priscilla "Pris" Jaynes, who passed away in June 2024.
A devoted man of faith, Jaynes was a member of both First United Methodist Church of Morganton and Blowing Rock Methodist Church.
Jaynes is survived by his sons, Brandon Jaynes (Jennifer) and Lee O. Jaynes III (Susan); grandchildren Evan Jaynes, Emma Jaynes Yao (Nathanial), and Andrew M. Jaynes; along with a wide network of friends, former colleagues, coaches, and student-athletes whose lives were impacted by his mentorship, leadership, and friendship.
Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church Morganton on Sunday, May 31. The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m., with a memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. For those unable to attend, the service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@fumcmorganton/streams.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to First United Methodist Church of Morganton, Blowing Rock Methodist Church, or the Appalachian State University Foundation, Attn: Advancement Services, P.O. Box 32014, Boone, NC 28608-2014. Checks should be made payable to the ASU Foundation with "In Memory of Oval Jaynes – Football" in the memo line. Donations may also be made online at www.give.appstate.edu.
Cards for the family may be mailed to:
Jaynes Family
500 Lenoir Road, Apt. 527
Morganton, NC 28655
