NCHSAA 100 To Remember Series: Coaches

CHAPEL HILL—As part of the celebration of the centennial of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, the NCHSAA has released the second list of its “100 To Remember” series.

The list of “100 To Remember: Coaches” highlights one hundred of the top coachesin NCHSAA history, going back to the founding of the organization in 1913. A special committee, including school administrators and coaches from across the state as well as sports media, put together the list in a series of meetings.

Many people made nominations for the lists on the NCHSAA web site. Association records and archives were also consulted, as well as members of the committee offering names for discussion.

“Coming up with a list of ‘100 To Remember’ was a tremendous challenge,” said Davis Whitfield, commissioner of the NCHSAA. “So many individuals have participated, coached or been involved with the rich history and tradition of the first 100 years of the NCHSAA. This group of distinguished individuals not only served their schools, school systems and communities in an exceptional fashion, but our Association as well.”

During the 2013 year in which the 100th anniversary is celebrated by the NCHSAA, other “100 To Remember” lists will be released, including female athletes and male athletes. The development of the lists and the discussions certainly fit in with the slogan for the centennial: “Honoring the Past, Embracing the Present and Shaping the Future.”

The list of administrators was the initial one released. Administrators included athletic directors, principals, superintendents or others involved with the administration of athletics at a local or statewide level

All of the 100th anniversary lists will be posted in the NCHSAA website under the special 100th portal.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 100 TO REMEMBER – COACHES

Gerald Allen – Shelby
Enjoyed a 38-year stint at Shelby, including 21 years as head football coach and 26 seasons leading the track program…his football teams won 11 conference championships and five Western North Carolina High School Activities Association titles…overall football record stands at 175-49-14…honored by coaching the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team in 1973 and coached at the East-West all-star game in 1970…member of the Cleveland County and NCHSAA Halls of Fame.

Stuart Allen – Myers Park
Compiled an impressive 11 NCHSAA state track championships from 1956 to ’71 at Myers Park…additionally guided four Myers Park teams to cross country state crowns…also served as a head wrestling coach and football assistant during the same stint at Myers Park…coached several more years at John Handley High in Winchester, Virginia after leaving the Charlotte school…2008 inductee into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Rosalie Bardin – Southern Nash
Significant contributions to high school athletics as both a coach and administrator…majority of career spent with Southern Nash where she coached women’s basketball (12 years), volleyball (18 years), track and field (7 years) and softball (24 years)…also served as cheerleading coach and athletic trainer during lengthy stint at Southern Nash…shifted to administration in 1998, serving as principal at Southern Nash…two-time Nash-Rocky Mount Principal of the Year and an inductee into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Frank Barger – Hickory
Achieved an outstanding record during 32 years as the head football coach at Hickory High…also amassed numerous conference crowns with career coaching mark of 273-120-5 in fotoball…compiled over 625 victories and 29 conference titles coaching four additional sports to football…retired in 1984 and is a member of the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame…joined NCHSAA Hall of Fame in class of 1993.

Daryl Barnes – Richmond
Native of Archdale and a graduate of Trinity High…compiled an unbelievable 157-25 mark in 14 seasons as a head football coach…stints at Southern Guilford, Northeast Guilford, South Brunswick and Richmond Senior…amazing 110-6 record in eight years with Richmond while achieving five state 4-A titles…served on the NCHSAA’s Board of Directors and is a member of the association’s Hall of Fame, class of 2007.

Zoe Bell – Providence/Ardrey Kell
Has been involved in North Carolina high school athletics for over 20 years, including 19 at Providence where she achieved four state volleyball crowns…has won over 475 career games in volleyball and also coached softball for 11 years…winner of the NCHSAA’s Doris Howard Female Coach of the Year in 2002 and the Toby Webb Coach of the Year award in 2011.

Russell Blunt – Hillside
Impressive stints coaching track and field both at the high school and college levels…St. Augustine’s College graduate coached at several colleges, but is best known for his lengthy tenure at Durham’s Hillside High…achieved 10 team state championships at Hillside and also coached football for several years…at one point was the oldest high school coach in the nation…member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the NCHSAA Hall as well as the National High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Sheila Boles – Hoggard
Perhaps best known as the first woman to coach a men’s varsity basketball high school team in North Carolina…career standout in volleyball and basketball while attending UNC Wilmington…started coaching at Hoggard in 1989, where she had stints as athletic director and coaching men’s basketball, men’s golf and women’s golf…over 300 career victories coaching basketball…previously honored with the NCHSAA’s Courage Award and Athletic Director of the Year Award…inductee into NCHSAA Hall of Fame in class of 2011.

Bill Bost – Bandys
One of North Carolina’s most outstanding basketball coaches that enjoyed unique situation of coaching men’s and women’s teams simultaneously to fantastic success…first coached at the old Hiddenite High School from 1960 to ’69…achieved a phenomenal record at Bandys from 1970 through ’88…341-143 record as the Bandys men’s coach and 181-35 with the Bandys women… the Bandys women achieved the state 3-A title in 1977…worked with the Catawba County Board of Education for several years after retirement from coaching…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Gil Bowman – Terry Sanford
Served Terry Sanford High in a teaching and coaching capacity for almost 41 years…fielded perennially strong teams in women’s and men’s basketball as well as women’s tennis…his girls’ tennis team won four straight state 4-A dual team championships from 1991 through ’94…coached basketball All-American Shea Ralph in high school…member of the Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame.

Leon Brock – Stedman/Cape Fear
Enjoyed distinguished coaching tenures at both Stedman and Cape Fear high schools…coached basketball at Stedman for 10 years before it was consolidated into Cape Fear High…amassed 488 career basketball wins in addition to 177 for baseball…won seven consecutive Pioneer Conference basketball titles at one point and achieved a state crown in football in 1966…member of the Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame and the basketball court at Cape Fear is named in Brock’s honor.

Leon Brogden – New Hanover
Graduate of Wake Forest College in 1932…most notable coaching successes during lengthy tenure at New Hanover High, where he also finished his career with a stint as athletic director…distinguished leader coaching football, basketball and baseball as well as serving as athletic director…former recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the National High School Athletic Coaches Association…inductee into the Wake Forest University Sports Hall of Fame, The Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame, and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame…charter member of NCHSAA Hall.

Tom Brown – Maiden
One of the state’s most successful football coaches at the high school level…during early career earned all-conference honors in both football and baseball while attending Lenoir-Rhyne College…won a total of 330 games in 35 seasons coaching at Maiden High, the state record for wins by a football coach at a single school…also coached three years at Bunker Hill…served as head coach of the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team in 2000…inductee into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in class of 2010.

Allen Brown – Thomasville
Long time coach at Thomasville High, and at one time one of only three football coaches in the school’s history alongside the likes of the distinguished George Cushwa, and Brown’s son Benjie Brown…over 40 years coaching football overall, with his Thomasville career beginning in 1972…his 1995 Bulldog team was the first in NC high school football history to achieve a 16-0 mark…amassed over 325 wins and achieved state championships in 1988, ’91, ’95, 2004, ’05, ’06, ’08.

Ken Browning – Northern Durham
Distinguished football coach at the high school and collegiate level…most recently served as an assistant coach on the UNC football staff from 1993 to 2012…also achieved an outstanding record from 1970 to ’75 at Ledford and then from 1976 through ’93 at Northern Durham…won 10 straight league titles at Northern Durham and amassed a fantastic career record of 214-54-6…winner of the NCHSAA state 4-A crown in 1993…numerous coaches that have worked with Coach Browning have gone on to be high school head coaches.

D.T. Carter – E.E. Smith
Long-time and highly successful coach at Fayetteville’s E.E. Smith High School…stadium at the school currently bears his name…nationally recognized for creation of intramural program at Smith…won 1967 North Carolina High School Athletic Conference football championship and shared crown in ’68…at one time he had three former players starting in National Football League at same time.

Bob Catapano – Sanderson
Distinguished career in high school athletics as a soccer coach and athletic director…compiled a 363-44-21 record, won 11 NCHSAA state championships, and 17 conference titles during a 20-year period as men’s head soccer coach at Sanderson…retired from coaching in 1996 but continued to serve as athletic director…also served as a soccer official for 20 years…member of the North Carolina Soccer, North Carolina Athletic Directors and NCHSAA Halls of Fame.

Bob Colvin – Robbinsville
Served Robbinsville High as a head football coach from 1966 through 1985, where his teams won an incredible 16 Smoky Mountain Conference championships and 11 NCHSAA state 1-A titles during that stretch…posted an amazing football record of 177-52-2 with Robbinsville and also served as a women’s basketball coach for five years…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Marsha Crump – Freedom
Outstanding basketball and tennis coach at the high school level…achieved the NCHSAA 4-A women’s state basketball championship in 1989, ’94 and ’95 at Freedom…won conference crowns for tennis from 1999 through 2001…coached in multiple all-star games and was named the Associated Press State Coach of the Year in 1995…inductee into the Burke County Sports Hall of Fame.

Herk DeGraw – Grimsley
Distinguished career primarily as the long time men’s and women’s soccer coach at Grimsley High in Greensboro…his women’s teams have earned six state championships and have amassed over 440 victories…coached the Grimsley men until 2005 and achieved 391 victories, making the playoffs 17 times with the boys…inductee into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame and the Greensboro College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Boyce Dietz – Swain County
A 31-year career in coaching, but also made a significant impact through administration…graduate of Sylva-Webster High and Western Carolina University that was the head football coach and athletic director at Swain County from 1977 through ’97…achieved five state championships at Swain before serving at Smoky Mountain from 1997 to 2000… served on boards of the NC Coaches’ Association, the NC Athletic Directors Association and the NCHSAA…past president of the NCADA and a member of the Jackson County and Swain County Athletics Halls of Fame.

Paul Dinkenor – Leesville Road
Native of Manchester, England, who moved to the Raleigh area in 1984 and coached soccer starting in 1979… coached for over 30 years and enjoyed a 12-year stint serving as both men’s and women’s soccer coach for Leesville Road…achieved three state championships overall with the Leesville boys and two additional crowns with the girls…earned a bachelor of arts degree and a master’s degree from Cambridge University in England, where he excelled as a college “football” player.

Bill Eutsler – Rockingham City/Richmond County
Three-sport coach and athletic administrator at Rockingham and then Richmond Senior High School for 40 years…achieved 13 conference crowns and four state championships overall…inaugural winner of the Athletic Director of the Year award given by the North Carolina High School Athletic Directors Association…graduate of Wake Forest who is a member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Gilbert Ferrell – Wilson Fike
Enjoyed a stellar 38-year career as a teacher, coach and athletic administrator…majority of career spent in Wilson County, including 20 years as head baseball coach at Wilson Fike…won the state 4-A title in 1968 and amassed a total of 215 wins…also served 13 years as Fike athletic director and an additional 16 years as the athletic director for Wilson County schools…recipient of numerous NCHSAA awards including being inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame.

Jimmy Fleming – South Granville
Graduate of Creedmoor High and East Carolina University…standout career coaching softball, but also coached men’s basketball, track, football, baseball and cheerleading during illustrious career at South Granville…his teams won seven NCHSAA state championships…also served as South Granville athletic director for 33 years…member of the NCHSAA Board of Directors from 1990 through 1994…joined the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in class of 2011.

Barbara Foxx – Pinecrest
One of North Carolina’s most outstanding volleyball coaches of all time…has served over 35 years coaching at Pinecrest High…achieved her 650th victory in 2012 and is among the top three all-time winningest volleyball coaches in North Carolina high school history…long time contributor to and supporter of the NCHSAA…former member of NCHSAA Board of Directors, from 1995 to ’99.

Jim Fulghum – Greene Central
One of the finest baseball coaches North Carolina has ever seen…coaching stints at North Edgecombe and Greene Central…remarkably, won a state championship in five different decades…earned a state basketball title at North Edgecombe in 1963 and then captured five state baseball crowns at Greene Central…amassed over 600 career victories at the high school level…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Pat Gainey – Pamlico/Taylorsville
Lifetime contributor to women’s high school athletics…began career at Lee Woodward in Wilson County and then moved to Pamlico County for a four-year stint…amassed a 93-6 record at Pamlico before coaching at Taylorsville from 1955-’64…overall women’s basketball mark of 358-57, with a 226-37 record at Taylorsville where his teams never lost a home game…special award at NCHSAA is named in his memory.

Paul Gay – Lee County
Phenomenal career as a high school head football coach, with the majority of his success at Sanford Central High (now Lee Senior)…brief stints in Lancaster, S.C. and at Raleigh Broughton before going to Sanford in 1960…achieved eight conference championships as well as a state title in 1973…former AP Coach of the Year (1973) and member of the North Carolina Coaches Association Board of Directors…inductee into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

David Gentry – Murphy
The 2012 football season marked Gentry’s 43rd year coaching football…has amassed over 320 wins during a remarkable career, and holds the western North Carolina record for wins…Gentry has guided teams to the NCHSAA state 1-A championship in 1986, ’87, ’91, ’96 and 2011…numerous coach of the year awardsd…will join NCHSAA Board of Directors for 2013-14 academic year.

Charles Gregory – Randleman
Best known for developing Randleman into a football power…coached that sport for over 28 years, winning over 200 games during that reign…achieved three consecutive NCHSAA state 2-A football titles (1981-’83)…served as Randleman’s athletic director for 18 years but also had stints coaching basketball, track and golf…coached in the North Carolina Coaches’ Association East-West football all-star game in 1974…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Buck Hardee – New Hanover
Teaching and coaching career began at New Hanover County High in 1953…Buck served New Hanover for 24 years as head baseball coach, where he achieved 13 conference crowns and compiled a fantastic overall record of 396-133-1…reached the state finals for baseball twice and also served as athletic director and U.S. History teacher during his tenure… served in the Navy during WWII following graduation from UNC…member of the Campbell College Hall of Fame, the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame and the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Bruce Hardin – A.L. Brown
Successful coaching career at both the high school and collegiate level…graduate of Chase High and Appalachian State…his teams earned two state football titles and three runner-up finishes in 27 years at the high school level…head coaching stints at Marvin Ridge, Charlotte Providence, A.L. Brown, West Charlotte and Charlotte Harding…assistant coaching tenures at Charlotte Olympic, The Citadel and the United States Military Academy…recipient of the NCHSAA’s Coach of the Year and Athletic Director of the Year awards…in NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Ann Harris – Jordan
One of the most distinguished and respected volleyball coaches in the history of the state’s high school athletics… most successful portion of Harris’ career transpired at Durham’s C.E. Jordan High…coached teams to six state championships, including four in a row (1983-‘86, 1989-’90), and four of those teams finished the entire season undefeated…her Jordan team established a record for the most wins in a season record by winning 37 in 1985…also owns the highest career winning percentage amongst volleyball coaches in North Carolina (.940).

Von Ray Harris – Lincolnton
Former high school football coach, teacher and athletic director at Lincolnton High… served in the Air Force during World War II…during early career briefly coached and taught at Winston-Salem’s Old Town High School, where he won a state championship in 1953, and at Morganton High, although bulk of his career was at Lincolnton…Lincolnton football field was named in Harris’ honor when he retired in 1980…member of the Lincoln County Hall of Fame.

Israel “Izzy” Hernandez – Broughton
Nationally recognized soccer coach that has one of the most distinguished coaching resumes in NC high school athletics…began coaching both the men’s and women’s varsity soccer teams at Broughton High in 1989…achieved nine high school state titles with the Broughton girls and an additional two state crowns coaching the Broughton boys…his women’s teams were nationally ranked for 15 consecutive years at one point…member of the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame and the Broughton Sports Hall of Fame.

Marvin “Red” Hoffman – Wilkesboro
Esteemed career as a head football coach and athletic administrator during lengthy career in Wilkes County…graduate of Statesville High and Appalachian State…built formidable football programs during stints at Wilkesboro High (1948-52) and Wilkes Central (1952-76)…achieved a career record of 178-98-7 in addition to winning seven conference titles and the 1962 Western North Carolina High School Activities Association crown…served as athletic director for Wilkes County from 1976 until retirement in 1985…inductee into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Leroy Holden – North Mecklenburg
The Charlotte native served the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system for over 40 years…specifically spent 38 years coaching at North Mecklenburg beginning in 1971…coached a multitude of sports, but was most successful in men’s basketball where he amassed 464 victories, made six regional appearances and even reached the 1987 4-A state championship game…also served over 20 years as the North Meck athletic director…member of the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame.

Doris Howard – Cape Fear
Distinguished 41-year career as a teacher and coach in Cumberland County…retired in 1988 with a career coaching mark of 533-231 for women’s basketball…had stints at Hope Mills, Central and Cape Fear High Schools coaching tennis, basketball and softball at various times in Howard’s career…directed Cape Fear to a state softball championship in 1978…received a Distinguished Service Award from the NCHSAA in 1989.

Charles “Babe” Howell – Sylva Webster
Significant contributions to high school athletics in North Carolina, serving as both a football and baseball coach during an outstanding 40-year career…spent 24 years building the athletic program at Sylva-Webster, which later was consolidated into Smoky Mountain…achieved five NCHSAA state championships and amassed an overall football record of 301-121-6…also has one of finest baseball records in state history with an astounding 618 victories to Howell’s name…former president of the North Carolina Coaches Association and inductee into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Hoy Isaacs – Reidsville
Compiled brilliant records in several sports…coached two years at Statesville High before a 37-year career at Reidsville…led his basketball teams to 640 victories and 285 losses…Isaacs’ 1973 squad won the NCHSAA state championship with a perfect 25-0 mark…also coached the 1955 Reidsville baseball team to a state crown and won a couple of golf state championships during a 23-year stint…additionally served as athletic director for 12 years and was an 11-time conference coach of the year…charter member of the North Carolina Coaches Association in 1949.

Paul Jones – Kinston
Coached basketball from 1957 through 1995 at Kinston with a record of 662-274…that 38 season stint featured 18 conference championships, two NCHSAA state titles and four state runner-up finishes…additionally coached baseball for 15 years, amassing six league titles and a state championship…served on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association and North Carolina Coaches Association…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Henry Jones – Cherryville
One of the most outstanding baseball coaches in North Carolina high school athletics history…guided the Cherryville High Ironmen for over 20 years, winning a total of six state baseball championships (1980, ’82, ’92, ’93, ’98, 2001)…also served as athletic director…supporter and constant contributor to the NCHSAA.

Marion Kirby – Page
Started his work at the high school level coaching football at John Holmes High from 1965 to ’72…posted a mark of 59-14-3 at Holmes and won three conference crowns…continued on to Greensboro Page, where Kirby established the Pirates as one of the state’s top teams for over 20 years…his Page teams captured four NCHSAA state 4-A championships in addition to 16 overall playoff appearances and 13 league titles…career highs chool mark of 278-65-8…left Page in 1997 to build Greensboro College’s new football program from scratch…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Tom Knotts – Independence
Legendary Independence High football coach who is still actively coaching at Dutch Fork High in South Carolina…head coaching stints at Harding, West Charlotte, and Independence in North Carolina…has taken all four of his schools to 4-A state championship games, winning the crown once with West Charlotte (1995) and multiple times with Independence (2000, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06)…has amassed well over 300 wins in his coaching career with less than 75 total losses…Duke graduate and native of Albemarle.

Mike Lambros – North Davidson
Outstanding softball coach known for successful and lengthy tenure at North Davidson…has amassed over 700 career wins overall during a career spanning more than 30 years…guided North Davidson to a 33-0 record and the NCHSAA 4-A state championship in 2010…also achieved five NCHSAA 4-A state championship runner-up finishes…long term contributor to NCHSAA.

Sandra Langley – SouthWest Edgecombe
Served Southwest Edgecombe as athletic director since 1991…achieved four state basketball championships during a lengthy stint as SouthWest’s women’s basketball coach… four-time Associated Oress North Carolina Coach of the Year…one of top women’s basketball coaches, in terms of victories, in North Carolina history…graduate of Southwest Edgecombe, Barton College and East Carolina University…inducted into the Barton College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992 as well as the Edgecombe and Nash Counties Hall in 2005.

David Lash – Carver/E. Forsyth/Atkins
Outstanding career as both a football and tennis coach…graduate of Atkins High and Shaw University…career involved stints at Carver, Atkins and East Forsyth, with two football state championships and 15 regional crowns in the old North Carolina High School Athletic Conference…also compiled five state titles in tennis and tirelessly promoted the sport even through retirement…stellar career football record of 248-76-6…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Larry Lindsey – Wake Forest Rolesville
One of North Carolina’s most triumphant high school basketball coaches of all time…earned a total of eight NCHSAA state championships including two at Youngsville High and an amazing six at Wake Forest-Rolesville…renowned for coaching tenacious defense and eventually finished with a career record of 609-156…also served a total of 26 years as an athletic director…member of the Pembroke and NCHSAA Halls of Fame.

Lindsey Linker – East Chapel Hill
Has stood out as one of the state’s best tennis coaches for several years…first coached at Chapel Hill High for 10 years and then has led East Chapel Hill’s teams since 1998…including men’s and women’s competition, Linker has amassed 16 NCHSAA dual team state titles in two different classifications…has achieved over 750 dual team wins during her many years in head coaching…recipient of the NCHSAA’s Doris Howard Female Coach of the Year Award in 2010.

Mike Matheson – Bandys
Unfortunately, had his fantastic coaching career cut short by his untimely death due to cancer at age 41…graduate of South Iredell and Appalachian State University…enjoyed an unprecedented run of success winning four NCHSAA state championships between 1979 and ’89 coaching the varsity women’s basketball team at Bandys…member of the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame and the NCHSAA Hall.

Jim Maxwell – Durham Jordan
A native of Hampton, VA, who attended Randolph-Macon College and then the Duke University School of Law…achieved acclaim as one of the premier swimming coaches in North Carolina history…volunteer head coach at Durham Jordan throughout his 29-year career coaching both the men’s and women’s teams…his teams achieved five state championships…directed regional swimming and diving championship for 19 years and the North Carolina state meet for 15 years…inductee into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Bill Mayhew – South Iredell
Distinguished lengthy career as both a teacher and coach…31 year tenure at South Iredell and a three year stint at Troutman High and continued to coach after retirement from classroom…currently North Carolina’s winningest coach in dual team wrestling, with no losing seasons as a head wrestling coach…his team won the 1986 NCHSAA state wrestling championship in addition to three Western North Carolina High School Activities Association titles…his football teams also recorded 13 consecutive winning seasons at one stretch…conference coach of the year 23 times and member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

David Maynard – Burlington/Jordan
Acheived a fantastic career in high school athletics, primarily in Burlington and Alamance County…the World War II veteran returned to Burlington in 1956 and enjoyed great success at Jordan Sellars High School, coaching football, basketball, baseball and track… track teams won 10 conference championships while his basketball squads won four state championships in the North Carolina High School Athletic Conference…long-time member of the Burlington City Council…member of the Alamance County Sports and NCHSAA’s Halls of Fame.

Daryl McClure – Hayesville
After a lengthy stint coaching at the high school level in North Carolina, McClure now serves as a men’s basketball assistant coach at Towns County High in Georgia…amassed over 400 career wins coaching the women’s basketball team at Hayesville and achieved six consecutive 1-A state championships between 1988 and ’93…significant contributor to the NCHSAA over the years.

Charles McCullough – West Charlotte
Graduate of West Charlotte High and North Carolina Central University…coached basketball at West Charlotte for 33 years prior to retirement in 1994…won over 575 games and five state championships (1963, ’66, ’86, ’91, ’92) during an outstanding career coaching…overall McCullough won 20 conference crowns, reached 23 Western regionals, and appeared in seven state finals.

Thomas McQuaid – Beaufort
Outstanding 42-year career in high school athletics serving as both a coach and administrator…coached at Beaufort from 1936 to ’42 before serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, and then returned to Beaufort for an additional 20 years…from 1945 to ’65 McQuaid’s men’s basketball teams posted a cumulative record of 368-75, including a 91-game winning streak and three Class A state titles…after school consolidation in Carteret County, he coached at Union Pines (1965-66) and Sanford Central (1966-68) before serving as athletic director and coach at East Carteret…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Mac Morris – Page
Morris has made his mark not just as an outstanding high school basketball coach but also as the co-executive director of the North Carolina Coaches Association…graduate of Roxboro High and Davidson College…served at Page High from 1968 through ’96, including a 25-year stint as head basketball coach…brought home the state 4-A titles in ’79, ’83 and 1990 in addition to achieving the state title with the Page men’s tennis team in 1971…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Donna Norman – South Stokes
Excellent career serving as a three-sport coach…graduate of Starmount High and UNC-Greensboro…although best known for softball, Norman has coached outstanding volleyball and basketball teams as well…369-109 record for softball with a state crown in 1986…has also served as a volleyball official and worked state championships…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Sherry Norris – Chapel Hill
One of the most distinguished female coaches in North Carolina history, with tremendous success as both a women’s volleyball and basketball coach…has served Chapel Hill High for over 35 years…overall has amassed more than 500 wins in basketball and has over 700 wins coaching volleyball, making her the winningest volleyball coach in the history of high school athletics in the state…recipient of the NCHSAA’s Toby Webb Coach of the Year Award in 2012.

Jim Oddo – Charlotte Catholic
One of North Carolina’s most successful football coaches all time…graduate of N.C. State University prior to beginning coaching in 1959…three year stint in Florida before becoming line coach at East Mecklenburg from 1962 through ’73…majority of career spent at Charlotte Catholic where he has added to the over 275 wins he’s amassed in his career…2007 NCHSAA Harvey Reid Male Coach of the Year.

Zack Osborne – Page
Graduate of UNC in 1973 before immediately beginning teaching and coaching at Page…started the boys’ soccer program at Page in 1974 and remained at the school for over 28 years…led his boys teams to over 400 wins, four state championships (1977, ’79, ’80, ’91) and two state runner-up finishes…began coaching the Pirate girls in 1980, amassing three state championships (1986-’88) and more than 350 wins with them as well…had an unbelievable run of 43 consecutive winning seasons while coaching both squads…two-time recipient of the State Coach of the Year award from the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association…inductee into North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame.

Thell Overman – Wallace Rose Hill
Amassed an overall high school coaching record of 1078-233-6 while coaching football (278-73-6), basketball (259-42) and baseball (541-118)…although primary success was at Wallace-Rose Hill, also served stints coaching for the U.S. Navy, Warrenton High and Wallace High…served on the NCHSAA Board of Directors during the 1950’s and 60’s, and also is a former president of the NC High School Athletic Directors Association…member of the NCADA Hall of Fame, the Guilford College Sports Hall of Fame and The Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame as well as joining the NCHSAA Hall in 1991.

Ray Oxendine – numerous schools
Experiences as an athlete, teacher, coach and administrator during numerous years involved with the NCHSAA…graduate of Pembroke High and Catawba College…first taught and coached at Greensboro Grimsley before doing the same things at the college level for a decade at Catawba…wound up serving as principal at a number of high schools, including East Montgomery, West Montgomery, Purnell Swett, South Robeson and Scotland…also had an outstanding career as a baseball umpire and worked with the NCHSAA in a number of capacities.

Phil Padgett – Southwest Onslow
Distinguished high school coach in baseball, golf, basketball and football, with his most outstanding achievements coming coaching football…headed the SW Onslow football program starting in 1988 and compiled over 250 wins…also has achieved three state championships in football (2000, ’03, ’04), 14 conference titles and has reached the state playoffs 22 times overall…served as the Southwest baseball coach for nine seasons, leading the Stallions to seven conference crowns and two consecutive berths in the NCHSAA state championship series.

Lindsey Page – Bartlett Yancey
Had a stellar career as a basketball coach at Bartlett Yancey High…began teaching and coaching after graduating from Elon in 1962…served as Bartlett Yancey’s head men’s basketball coach for 34 years, compiling seven conference championships and a NCHSAA state 3-A championship in 1988…overall basketball record of 519-325…also coached baseball for 15 seasons and served as an athletic director for 20 years…recipient of the NCHSAA’s Distinguished Service Award (1998)…joined NCHSAA Hall of Fame in 2012-13 year.

Bob Paroli – Wilson/Fayetteville
One of the winningest head football coaches in North Carolina history in 55 years of coaching…coaching stops include Benson (1958-64), Jacksonville (1964-65), New York Military Academy (1965-71), Wilson Fike (1971-76), Burlington Cummings (1976-80) as well as 25 years at Fayetteville Douglas Byrd and Seventy-First for almost a decade…has amassed over 400 victories combined during his historic career…won state title at Seventy-First in 2008…inductee into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in class of 1999.

Ed Peeler – Crest
Highly successful career as both a coach and athletic director…posted a brilliant 562-362 mark as a head men’s basketball coach, including two years at Mooresboro, six at Crest at Boiling Springs and then 30 at Crest…also coached women’s basketball, baseball, cross-country, track and golf…Peeler’s basketball teams went to the playoffs 24 times and won the Western North Carolina High School Activities Association title in both 1973 and ’74…also achieved the NCHSAA state baseball title in 1965 with Mooresboro.

Vicki Peoples – Enloe
Standout high school athlete in Iowa, but achieved coaching success in North Carolina…served as both he men’s and women’s swimming ad diving coach at Raleigh Enloe from 1982 to 2007…her teams won a combined 10 NCHSAA state championships…Enloe also achieved 18 regional titles and 27 conference crowns under her guidance…20-year stint as the director of the Eastern Regionals for swimming and diving…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Bobby Poss – Fayetteville 71st, South View, A.C. Reynolds
Celebrated former football coach at Seventy First, South View and A.C. Reynolds high schools…amazingly led each of his schools to a state football championship, including multiple crowns at two locations (71st in 1984 and ’86, South View in 1991 and A.C. Reynolds in 1999 and 2002)…2010 inductee into the Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame…also coached in North Carolina Coaches Association all-star game in 1988…later coached at collegiate level.

Tom Pryor – Edneyville
Has achieved tremendous record as a women’s basketball coach, for many years with more victories than any other coach in North Carolina history… during a remarkable career of over 40 years, amassed mark of 702-244, with 594 of those wins coming at Edneyville…also coached track, football, golf and baseball including a 66-42-5 mark for football…umpired softball for 10 years and formerly served on the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association Board of Directors…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Gus Purcell – Myers Park
Graduate of Laurinburg High School and a 1950 graduate of the University of North Carolina…put his stamp on North Carolina high school athletics coaching at Myers Park High from 1952 through 1971…known for coaching innovation and as a quality developer of quarterbacks…founder of one of the first successful quarterback schools/camps…coached in the East-West all-star game in 1959 as well as the 1960 Shrine Bowl…inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in class of 1995.

Mike Raybon – Ragsdale
Graduate of Bandys High in Catawba County with a BS degree from Appalachian State in 1963…started the wrestling program at Ragsdale and served as head coach from 1965 to ’84…posted a 216-45-2 mark coaching wrestling, with seven unbeaten seasons and three state championships…assistant principal stints at Ragsdale and Southwest Guilford…returned to Ragsdale in 1995 as athletic director…consulted the NCHSAA for years on the state wrestling championships and also served as an outstanding wrestling official for over 30 years…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Harvey Reid – Wilson Fike
One of the most notable high school basketball coaches in the history of North Carolina who passed away suddenly while coaching in 1991…compiled an outstanding career record of 816-208 throughout 42 years of coaching and still has most victories among men’s basketball coaches in state history…had coaching stints at Academy Heights, Frederick Douglas, Elm City and Wilson Fike…won seven state championships and 20 conference crowns total…member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the NCHSAA Hall.

Larry Rhodes – Ashbrook
Graduate of High Point Central and East Carolina University…coached from 1956 through 1970 at Frank Ashley High, and then the next 20 years at Gastonia Ashbrook…compiled a 336-174 record coaching basketball…won 10 conference championships and brought home the 1967 NCHSAA state 4-A basketball title…also coached golf for 33 seasons…Ashbrook High gymnasium has been named in Rhodes’ honor…NCHSAA Hall of Fame inductee.

Joan Riggs – Swansboro
One of North Carolina’s most distinguished volleyball coaches…A graduate of Swansboro High and UNC-Wilmington, she returned to her high school alma mater and helped it become a state powerhouse for volleyball…Riggs’ Swansboro teams compiled a 363-65 record and won five state championships…achieved 14 conference championships and was her league’s coach of the year on 10 different occasions…also coached women’s basketball, softball and track…inducted into NCHSAA Hall of Fame in 2005-06 academic year.

Brian Robinson – Bishop McGuinness
Long time head coach of the Bishop McGuinness Lady Villains basketball team and still holds that position today…has led the Bishop McGuinness women to an unprecedented string of eight straight 1-A state basketball championships (2006-2013)…named North Carolina’s Coach of the Year by the Associated Press in 2010…respected by peers for his work ethic and consistency…has served on NCHSAA committees.

Bob Sawyer – Grimsley
Amazing career as an athlete, teacher, coach and athletic director, all with Greensboro Senior High (now Grimsley High)…began coaching at Grimsley in 1961 and achieved 16 consecutive conference championships and an unprecedented 15 straight NCHSAA state titles in swimming during a 30 year tenure…also coached track, cross country and junior varsity football during his career…Grimsley also earned numerous state championships during Sawyer’s time as athletic director…inductee into the East Carolina University and NCHSAA Halls of Fame.

Ronald Scott – Chatham Central
Integral member of Chatham Central athletics for an astounding five decades…specifically built Chatham Central into a baseball powerhouse during 36 years as head coach…amassed 520 baseball wins, but also coached men’s basketball, cross country and football…also served a 26 year period as athletic director while at Chatham Central…Scott’s baseball teams won the 1976 2-A state championship and 11 conference titles…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame and recipient of the NCHSAA’s Distinguished Service Award.

Wally Shelton – Mount Airy
Returned to his high school alma mater, Mount Airy, after graduating from University of North Carolina…his teams won five state football championships and were runner-up on three additional occasions…overall football record of 163-63-11 and coached in both the East-West all-star games and the Shrine Bowl…specifically coached football, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball for over 27 years each…1984 inductee into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and joined the NCHSAA Hall in 2001.

Cindi Simmons – Smoky Mountain
Outstanding coach and exceptional teacher that has served as the head women’s basketball coach at Smoky Mountain for almost 30 years and has coached both the Smoky Mountain volleyball and women’s basketball teams…has amassed over 500 wins in basketball and more than 375 volleyball victories…led her volleyball teams to three state championships (1991-’93) and 11 conference crowns, and guided her basketball squads to a state championship victory in 2007 and nine conference crowns…graduate of Western Carolina in 1983…recently announced her retirement from coaching.

Earl Smith – various schools
Multiple stops in 32 years as a head coach, most recently from 2004 to ’08 at Wake Forest-Rolesville where his teams won three straight conference titles in football…also served stints at New Hanover and Millbrook and was very successful with those programs…11 time conference coach of the year and the NCHSAA’s Harvey Reid Male Coach of the Year in 2009…head coach of East squad in the North Carolina Coaches Association East-West football game in 1995.

Dave Smith – Washington
Began his coaching career at P.S. Jones Senior High from 1957 to ’68, where he coached football, basketball and tennis…served at Washington from 1972 to 1991…his varsity men’s basketball coaching mark is an incredible 520-233, featuring a 56-game win streak…coached future NBA star Dominique Wilkins at Washington and guided his teams to nine conference championships and two state crowns…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Steve Spivey – Broughton
Distinguished tennis coach that served Raleigh Broughton for over 20 years, building a outstanding program and perennial tennis power in the process…coached the Broughton men to state championships in 1988, ’89, ’90, ’92, ’94, 2002, ’03, ’04 and ’05, and also earned state crowns with the women in 1995, ’96, ’98, ’99, 2000, ’01, ’02 and ’03…former National High School Tennis Coach of the Year.

Jan Stanley – West Henderson
Standout career coaching volleyball and women’s basketball, eventually establishing West Henderson as a perennial volleyball power…second all-time in state prep history in volleyball victories…won both the 2003 and 2004 state 2-A championships to go with 3-A crowns in 1989 and 1990…also won over 250 games coaching basketball including a state title in 1991…served a four-year tenure as a member of the NCHSAA Board of Directors…member NCHSAA Hall of Fame, joining during 2008-09 academic year.

Robert Steele – North Rowan
One of North Carolina’s most notable and successful track and field coaches for many years…graduate of East Rowan High and Livingstone College in Salisbury…won six conference titles coaching his first nine years at Webb High…has achieved an impressive 15 NCHSAA state championships since moving to North Rowan…winner of five straight track and field state crowns between 1994 and 1998…inductee into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Kathy Stefanou – Millbrook
One of the most successful volleyball coaches in North Carolina history…began at Millbrook High in 1970 and spent her entire career there…successfully built Millbrook into a state volleyball powerhouse and achieved a career coaching mark of 657-153 with four state 4-A crowns…also coached basketball, track, swimming, softball and cheerleading…served a full four-year term on the NCHSAA Board of Directors and is a member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Pete Stout – Salisbury/Williams
Prior to coaching football at Catawba College from 1983 to ’86, this successful coach enjoyed stints at Altamahaw, Western Alamance, Salisbury Boyden, Burlington Williams and Morganton Freedom High Schools…achieved a head coaching record of 234-63-14 with two NCHSAA state 3-A championships at those schools…enjoyed an impressive streak of 43 consecutive wins at Burlington Williams…NCHSAA Hall of Fame member.

Ruby Sutton – Laney
Phenomenal teacher and coach that has served for over 35 years…most notable successes came coaching volleyball at Laney, but has also coached tennis and cheerleading…specifically has led the Lady Bucs volleyball team for 31 seasons and achieved a state championship in 1996…in 2012 Laney’s home court was dedicated as the Fred Lynch-Ruby Sutton Court in honor of the two legendary coaches.

Paul Sykes – Durham
Standout high school basketball coach whose most notable successes came leading Durham High School for many years…also coached football, baseball and wrestling, and briefly coached at Apex High…overall career record of 464-37 and achieved state basketball titles with the Durham High boys in 1938, ’39, ’40, ’41, ’42, ’44 and ’46…Sykes’ team won 73 consecutive games between 1937 and 1940 and beat state champions from other states…former standout football player at Wake Forest as well.

Jim Taylor – Shelby
Brilliant career coaching football, primarily at Shelby High…attended and played football at both Gardner-Webb and Western Carolina…began career coaching football and track at Polk Central, while also serving as the athletic director…coached at Shelby for over 30 years racking up 10 conference titles, two NCHSAA state championships and two runner-up finishes…started serving as the Cleveland County Schools athletic director in 2005…inductee into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

Norm Trzaskoma – R.J. Reynolds
Longtime cross country and track and field coach at Reynolds…coached in Forsyth County for almost 40 years, including more than 35 years at Reynolds…his boys track teams won two state championships (outdoor-2005, indoor-2006) and he led his boys cross country squads to five straight state titles from 1974 through ’78…recipient of the NCHSAA’s Toby Webb Coach of the Year Award in 2009.

Ron Vincent – Greenville Rose
Easily the winningest coach in the history of high school baseball in North Carolina with more than 800 career victories…started coaching in Farmville before moving to Rose in 1974…still coaches at Rose currently and has racked up six state championships during his tenure, including crowns in 1975, ’97, ’99, 2003, ’04 and ‘08…constantly involved with youth baseball initiatives in the Greenville area and has help build area into great baseball community.

Bob Vroom – Swansboro
Former boys’ soccer coach at Swansboro High for over 25 years…the teams he led made 22 playoff appearances, won 21 conference crowns and achieved seven state championships…state titles in 1990, ‘95,’96, ’98-2000, and ’02… compiled an impressive career coaching record of 490-73-25…named the National Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 2001…three-time North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association Coach of the Year as well.

James “Choppy” Wagner – Washington
Long time coach, teacher and athletic director at Washington High…first worked as head football coach and athletic director at Warsaw High in 1938, prior to joining Washington in 1941…led the Washington football team until 1968, amassing an outstanding 153-73-12 record, and continued to serve as an athletic director until the mid 1970’s…eastern North Carolina’s Coach of the Year in 1958…former president of the North Carolina Coaching Association…inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in 1992.

Toby Webb – Albemarle
Outstanding coach that was the driving force behind turning Albemarle into a North Carolina football power…served as head football coach and athletic director while at Albemarle…posted a phenomenal record of 103-18-6 and won two Western North Carolina High School Activities Association crowns while leading Albemarle…during latter stages of career served as a principal in Albemarle for 12 years and then had a 13-year stint as the superintendent of Albemarle City Schools…inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in 1992.

George Whitfield – Richmond
Great baseball coach at multiple levels of competition for over 40 years…his high school teams won 15 conference crowns, four American Legion state titles and four NCHSAA state championships… career record of 954-286 at all levels… served as the athletics director at Richmond Senior (1980-’90), Mount Olive College (1990-’93) and Pitt Community College (1994-’96)…seven time conference coach of the year and was named National Coach of the Year in 1969 and ’74…member of many Halls of Fame, including the NCHSAA, American Baseball Coaches Association, United States Achievement Academy, North Carolina Athletic Directors and the North Carolina Sports Halls of Fame…directed renowned state baseball clinic for over four decades.

Jerry Winterton – Cary
Compiled one of the greatest records in North Carolina sports history in wrestling before his retirement as an active coach…holds an astounding record of 642-34 in dual team matches, including a 620-16 mark at Cary High…his teams achieved 11 state tournament championships to go with eight NCHSAA dual team crowns and a total of seven state runner-up finishes in dual team tournaments…National Wrestling Coaches Association’s 2009 Coach of the Year.

Hilda Worthington – Farmville Central
Standout coach and administrator at Farmville Central from the early 1970’s to the late ‘90’s…graduate of Broughton High and ECU…served as athletic director at Farmville Central for almost 20 years…compiled over 300 victories and six conference titles coaching women’s basketball…also served 11 years as a women’s track coach and won seven league crowns…member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame and former member of the Association’s realignment and Scholar-Athlete committees.

Carroll Wright – Swain/Brevard/West Henderson/Pisgah
Compiled an outstanding record as a head football coach at several different schools during a career spanning more than 30 years…Tennessee Tech graduate first served as head football coach, women’s basketball coach and athletic director at Swain from 1960 to ’67…spent five years at Hartsville, S.C., where he won a Lower State 4-A title before moving on to Brevard…Wright’s Brevard teams were 50-14-2 from 1974-79…additional coaching stops include West Henderson and Canton Pisgah…2003 inductee into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

One thought on “NCHSAA 100 To Remember Series: Coaches

  1. Not much of a list since it doesn’t include John Ralls from Ledford. He has coached 12 state championship teams in three different sports, basketball, softball, and golf (both boys and girls). I can’t understand how he is not included unless no one from Ledford or the Davidson County Schools bothered to nominate him.

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