Coaches

Llonisha McElhaney

Head Girls Track and Field Coach

Coach Llonisha McElhaney joined Jefferson High School in 2023, and is the head girls track and field coach at Jefferson High School. Prior to Jefferson, McElhaney held the same position at Mary Persons High School in Forsyth, GA. A passionate and accomplished leader, she is known for her commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the track.

A proud graduate of Albany State University, McElhaney competed in both cross-country and track and field during her collegiate career, earning multiple conference titles and competing at the national level. Her experience as a student-athlete laid the foundation for her lifelong dedication to the sport.

McElhaney began her coaching career in 2012. Since then, she has guided her teams to numerous region championships and individual state titles. In the 2025 season, her team claimed the region championship and placed third at the state meet, further solidifying her reputation for excellence.

In addition to her coaching role, McElhaney serves on the GHSA Track and Field Advisory Committee, where she helps shape the future of high school athletics in Georgia.

Off the track, McElhaney is a devoted wife and proud mother of two. She enjoys vacationing and making lasting memories with her family.

Amos Tift

Head Boys Track and Field Coach

Coach Amos Tift is the head boys track and field coach at Jefferson High School. Since joining the program in 2018, he has helped lead the Dragons to consistent success at the region and state levels.

Tift was promoted to head coach in 2020 after two seasons as an assistant. Under his leadership, Jefferson earned the Class 3A state championship in 2019, finished as state runner-up in 2025 and placed third in Class 4A in 2021 and 2022 and fourth in Class 5A in 2024. His teams have also won Region 8 titles in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025.

He previously coached at North Oconee High School from 2011 to 2017, where he helped guide the team to a Class 4A state runner-up finish in 2015 and multiple region championships.

Tift began his coaching career at Malcolm Bridge Middle School, serving as head boys track and field coach from 2010 to 2017. His team won the middle school state championship in 2011. He also coached middle school football as a defensive coordinator at Jefferson and Malcolm Bridge.

Tift and his wife, Anna, have three children: Hardy, Ford and Berdie.