Congratulations Philip Haywood on 400th win!!

[Watusi]

When Coach Haywood became KY's winninest football coach just 4 seasons ago (Oct 2011) with 346 wins it was a special night and put him atop a prestigious list. With Friday's win over Russell, Coach Haywood notched win #400 and that is a milestone win. No matter where you coach, what league you are in, or what level you play, 400 wins is a testament.

 

Coach does not really like the recognition, and he is quick to give credit to his players, his amazing assistant coaches and the support of the administration and the Pond Creek Nation fanbase. And they all deserve as much credit as we can give them. It is Coach Haywood's vision, leadership and coaching ability that molded all of that into the Pirate machine that we all love, and this is his day.

 

So congratulations Coach Haywood. It has been a real pleasure to watch and I consider it a blessing that I have had the good fortune to play for you and cheer for you these last 32 years. You are a gentleman, an incredible mentor, leader and friend, and a pretty good coach too.

 

Here is a great picture of him with his wife Linda taken after the game. Thanks to Ray Justice Photography for this picture.

 

[ethanball]

Congrats to Belfry and coach Phillip Haywood.first class all the way

[oldrambler]

Congrats to Coach Haywood, his record speaks for itself.

As former NFL coach Bum Phillips said about Bear Bryant ....."He can take his and beat yours or take yours and beat his"

[Watusi]

Congrats to Coach Haywood, his record speaks for itself.

As former NFL coach Bum Phillips said about Bear Bryant ....."He can take his and beat yours or take yours and beat his"

Gotta love a Bum Phillips quote.

[GOREDDEVILS]

Congratulations to the Belfry Pirates and Philip Haywood again on #400.

[Big Five -0-]

Congrats to Coach Haywood on win # 400, and the Belfry Pirates.

[Watusi]

Another good shot by Ray Justice Photography.

 

[Watusi]

Where's the Beef?

 

[2-3-Zone]

Congrats Haywood

[Mustang]

I met Coach Haywood and his wife at the State Basketball Tournament where he was promoting his book.

Sincere and gracious gentleman. The book, "Faith, Family, and Football" was a good read.

 

Congratulations on 400 wins!!!!!

Go Dance under the Stop Light!!!!!

[Watusi]

I met Coach Haywood and his wife at the State Basketball Tournament where he was promoting his book.

Sincere and gracious gentleman. The book, "Faith, Family, and Football" was a good read.

 

Congratulations on 400 wins!!!!!

Go Dance under the Stop Light!!!!!

 

Now THAT was an interesting tradition that Coach Haywood started when he first came to Belfry. First time we did that, none of us knew what to expect. It was a memory I will never forget, mostly because a few of us did "the roach" and Coach got tangled up and fell down on us. LOL

[Commander 25]

Congrats to Coach Haywood.

[Watusi]

An article in the Appalachian News Express highlighted some of the numbers and put them into perspective.

 

How elite is the 400 win club? Coach Haywood is only the 17th high school football coach in the nation ever to reach that mark, and the 10th active coach.

 

By comparison, using sports milestones, there are more...

Members of the 300 win club (24) in MLB

NFL coaches (19) with 150 wins

College baskeball coaches (18) that have won 800 games

[ATLCat]

Watusi,

 

Assuming Haywood's health and his lovely wife's health is not a factor...

 

How long do you honestly think Haywood will continue to coach for?

 

I used to think he would see this current Junior Class through to make sure he goes out on a high note...but with what the Middle School continues to churn out he has a an excellent pool of talent for at least the next 4 years.

 

Knowing Haywood and how selfless he is, he wouldn't want to leave when Belfry was dipping... but would rather make sure whoever followed him stepped in fully loaded.

 

Me personally, I hope he stays to 500

[Watusi]

A lot of coaches I think try to leave on a high note, or know when the talent is going to drop and try to get out of town ahead of it. Knowing Coach Haywood I don't think he has a selfish motivation for doing anything he does. He just isn't into personal accolades like that. I think he would be more concerned with leaving the cupboard stocked than he would be with any of that.

 

At this time (ruling out any unforeseen health issue) I really don't know why he would step down unless he just decides he wants to enjoy retirement. He is in a good situation with talent and an unbelievable situation with community and administration support. His staff is made up of a core of guys who have been with him as players and coaches for a long time, some of them for his entire tenure at BHS. As a counselor he does not have a teaching load. He obviously still has a passion for the job and at the tender age of 64, he is not too old to do it. He doesn't have any other hobbies, he literally just coaches football and works his job, and does them well. And the middle school and youth leagues are in good hands and running his system with success.

 

I hope he stays a long time too.