Jason Haines: a passionate coach, a devoted father and loving friend left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. At the age of 41, Haines tragically passed away on Dec. 15 due to being buried in an avalanche while snow biking near Cascade, Idaho. He leaves behind a rich legacy of kindness and fun. These qualities were evident in all of his relationships.
Haines, from Kuna, Idaho, lived his life to the fullest. He loved adventure and the outdoors, as well as baseball, as he was the assistant varsity baseball coach at Eagle High. He played an important role in players’ progression and the success of the team. His presence on the baseball field was always uplifting and a beacon of positivity. No matter how he felt, Haines was always in a good mood.
“In the four years I had known [Haines], I never saw him in a bad mood once,” said head varsity baseball coach at Eagle High, Scott Deck. “He was always positive and always had a smile on his face.”
Haines’ positivity and ability to brighten the room was not limited to the baseball diamond. This is how he was all the time, no matter who he was around.
Not only did he coach many of the players on the field, but he also impacted player’s lives off the field by always being an example of how to be a great man. He is a coach that players felt comfortable around. Players enjoyed being around Haines and his contagious personality.
“He had a special way of connecting with players and making them feel cared for,” Deck said.
As an assistant coach for the Eagle High varsity baseball team, Haines had a unique ability to connect with the players. It wasn’t just his knowledge of the game that made him a good coach, it was his deep care for the individuals he coached. Senior baseball player Declan Regan describes how Haines’ positivity and encouragement impacted him personally.
“His presence always lightened the mood,” Regan said. “Whether I was hitting good or bad during batting practice, Haines had the ability to make me feel like I had a great round of hitting. He always made me feel good about myself.”
Junior baseball player Carter Ditlove recalls another meaningful interaction with Haines.
“One memory I had with Coach Haines was when he walked into practice with me on a day when we were both running late. I was stressed and afraid that the coaches would be angry at me. But once I saw Haines, I knew that wasn’t going to be the case,” Ditlove said. “He cracked a joke about how Coach Deck is going to make us both run and it made me laugh and gave me the confidence I needed to go into practice with a positive attitude.”
Moments like these are what set him apart as a coach. He didn’t just teach the game of baseball. He helped shape the characters of young men.
As one can tell, Haines’ impact on those around him was profound. His son, sophomore Wade Haines, reflects on the moments that defined his relationship with his father.
“The number one thing I will miss about him is his smile and laugh and how he would have fun around everyone,” Haines said. “It didn’t matter who he was with, he had fun.” That truly captures Haines infectious spirit. For Haines and his family, these simple qualities and memories are some of their favorites.
To add on to the amazing qualities that Haines had, he was a man of an extraordinary work ethic and dedication. He gave it his all, even when life was difficult. His son explains how Jason was always there, no matter the circumstances. This was also a theme for many of the talks at Haine’s funeral on Jan. 3, 2025.
“Jason had my back and showed up for everything,” Deck said.
Despite Haines busy life with business and baseball, Jason was first and foremost a family man. Haine’s is the husband of Ashley Haines, and the father of Jackson and Wade Haines. He was actively involved in their lives.
With his two sons, he loved to spend time outdoors doing activities like hunting, dirt biking, snow biking and more. He also often took part in coaching them throughout their baseball careers. Wade shares one of his favorite memories with his father.
“One of my favorite memories with my dad was when we would play this golf video game,” Wade Haines said. “I forgot what it was called but he would always rage when he would miss a putt, and it was always a close game between us. I would laugh so hard at him. I will miss those memories with him.”
Coach Deck shares his favorite memory with Coach Haines that reflects the fun times they had together.
“One of my favorite memories was when he and I dressed up like Ricky Bobby and Cal Norton Jr. from Talladega Nights for our Annual Halloween Whiffle Ball Game. Our call sign during games was ‘Shake and Bake’, followed by a fist bump, a famous quote from the movie,” Deck said. “He was one of my best friends.”
To top off the great man that he was, Haines was a man of God. He was a man of deep faith. This was evident to Ditlove after attending his funeral and hearing his father, Wade Haines speak.
“I learned at the funeral that Coach Haines was a devoted follower of Christ,” Ditlove said. “Although I could tell by the way he treated others that he had a soul touched by God, I never talked to him about it. It was really good to know that he is in Heaven now and that I will see him again one day.”
Reflecting on the funeral, the father of a baseball player in the Eagle High program, Tim Snooks shares his thoughts on what he learned about Coach Haines.
“I never knew Haines on a personal level, but after listening to his friends and family speak at his funeral, it makes me wish I got to know the man better,” Snooks said. “He was just the type of guy who lived life to the fullest.”
Coach Haines may no longer be with us, but his legacy lives on in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know him. His laugh, smile and positivity will never be forgotten. As many have reflected on the life of Haines recently, we are reminded about how much he has accomplished. Many people have learned something from Haines. He truly lived life to the fullest and impacted everyone he was around.
From an Eagle High baseball standpoint, Deck makes an important point.
“[Haines] was a huge part of our program and there is just no way to replace someone like him. We can only go forward as a program and try to honor him in how we approach the game and life,” Deck said.
Coach Jason Haines will forever be remembered.
