News4JAX’s Justin Barney earns statewide honor for advocacy in coach pay coverage
News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney has been recognized for his reporting on high school coaches’ pay in Florida. Barney received the Champion of Change Award at the Florida Coaches Coalition banquet. (Justin Barney)
LAKE MARY, Fla. – News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney has been recognized for his reporting on high school coaches’ pay in Florida.
Barney received the Champion of Change Award at the Florida Coaches Coalition banquet in Lake Mary. The honor recognizes his long-running coverage of compensation issues affecting high school coaches across the state.
Barney has reported on the issue for more than a decade at three different media outlets. His work has included interviews with coaches statewide and multiple visits to the Florida Capitol to speak with lawmakers about coach pay.
Throughout his career, Barney has earned numerous awards for his reporting, including an Emmy Award.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.
About the Authors Alessandra Pontbriand headshot
Alessandra Pontbriand joined WJXT4 as a sports anchor and reporter in May 2023. She is excited to join the extremely talented sports team and have the opportunity to tell stories across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia from local high schools, universities, and pro teams!
Justin Barney headshot
Justin Barney joined News4Jax in February 2019, but he’s been covering sports on the First Coast for more than 20 years.
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