Larry French, KY's 3rd winningest football coach, passed away Wednesday night. 

Funeral will be in Danville. 

He had moved to Russell County after retiring from coaching. 

KHSAA just announced on Facebook that Larry French has passed.

From Coach Chuck Smith:

I lost another dear coaching friend this week, and my heart is truly broken.

As I reflect on all the great memories we shared on the sidelines, I’m reminded of just how much Larry French meant to me. Larry and I coached together during my first four years, and he was more than just a colleague — he was my mentor. I learned so much from him, not only about the game, but about how to lead young people the right way.

He had a special way with the kids and was exceptional at managing and guiding them. He understood how the game was meant to be played, but more importantly, he always kept the players first. He was in it for all the right reasons.

Larry was a wonderful person to work alongside. He trusted you to do your job, supported your decisions, and always had your back as a coach.

He will be deeply missed, but the impact he had on so many players and coaches will never be forgotten.

This one hurts. Thanks Coach. 

Fantastic Coach and an even better man, leader, mentor, for all of our kids, by far.  Absolutely loved Coaching against him and his teams because he and his teams were a standard to reach!

What a great man and coach.  His wit and sense of humor, and reading young people was a super power. 

Coach French had a gift for helping young men become the best they could be.  For those of us that played for him, often, the first time that we were the best version of ourselves, we were with him. He helped us get there. He could make us as tough as we could possibly be. He could make us be the most unselfish we had ever been in our lives.  He could help us do our jobs, better, than we had ever done them before. When we became men, husbands & fathers and needed to be tough, unselfish, and do our jobs well, we knew what that looked like because on a practice field or on a Friday night, he had helped to make us that guy we needed to be in that moment as an adult. We no longer wore a helmet. But, our old Coach continued to make us the very best we could be, and when we needed it the most. That is why we loved him. 

How did he do it?  

Ultimately, I really can't describe it.  I do know that he set a tremendous example in regards to being tough, being unselfish, and doing your job at a very high level. But, he had a way of making his example come alive in your heart and between the ears like no other. 

Ironically, I am not sure how much credit he can take for his special gift in transforming lives. I really just think God wired him that way. He had an innate love for people, especially kids. His ability to see the best inside of you and bring it out was enigmatic. His method of communicating and getting you to look inside and examine yourself was inexplicable.  When success would follow, his reaction would lead you to believe that he knew it was going to happen all along. In his own unique way, he would convey the message, "Of course you won. That is who you are." 

 

https://blackshoesandwhiteshoestrings.blogspot.com/2026/04/one-more-play-why-we-his-players-love.html

 

 

RIP Coach French! Prayers to his family. ?

Larry's Obituary

Larry Lee French, 74, of Jamestown went to be with the Lord on April 8, 2026. Born in Berea, Ky on September 29, 1951, he was the son of the late Arnold Lee French and Mildred Louise Combs French McCollum.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Connie Christopher French; his children: Steven (Rachel McFall) French of Eli, Christi French (Steve) Hillenmeyer of Nicholasville; sister, Rita Jo Dufour (the late Lloyd Verne Hibbitts); 4 grandchildren: Brynlee, Ava, Porter, Hudson; 4 bonus grandchildren: Ellie, Fara, Vallerie, Haley; 2 nieces: Heather Dufour (Jerry Cornett) and Buck "Amber" Dufour (Ashley); great-niece: Kylie Jo; and great-nephew: Jacob.

Larry was a member of Mount Hope Separate Baptist and was an advocate for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Larry was a passionate and successful teacher and coach.

Coach French was adamant that the players, coaches, and community support won every game and his coaching lost all of them. God blessed Larry with the talent to mentor athletes, students, and fellow coaches allowing him to raise more than just his own family. Players, coaches, students, friends, and family, Larry would encourage you to make him proud in the game of life.

Visitation will be 4-8 PM Tuesday, April 14, 2026, and 10 AM until the service Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Ashland Danville Baptist Church. Celebration of Life will be at 11 AM at the church. Aaron Hogue will officiate. Private burial will be in Berea Cemetery. Memorial contributions suggested to Fellowship of Christian Athletes. 

Pallbearers will be Raymie Long, Zach Massengill, William Blair, Brad Hood, David Buchanan, and David Christopher. Honorary pallbearers will be Chuck Miller, Steve Hillenmeyer, Jerry Cornett, Donnie Coffman, Eli Dix, and John Allen Christopher.

Guestbook is available at www.wlpruitt.com.

https://www.wlpruitt.com/obituary/larry-french

Lights and scoreboards on across the state for Coach French.

 

Boyle County

 

Anderson County

Middlesboro

Bullitt East

Coach French’s wonderful family @ Russell County. 

I was in charge of the milk cartons , 6th grade at Mercer Elementary. Coach French would come to the cafeteria to chase after Miss Christopher.  Was at their wedding as well. 

Coach French paddled me in 5th grade for fighting. 
 

1/2 of me can’t believe he is gone. But, all of me is overwhelmed & thankful that he was such a huge part of my life and who I am today. 
 

Madison Central & Allen Co  Scottsville 

 

 

No one loved to get video in the middle of the week more than Coach French. I think it was a Wednesday. We all load up in the car, after practice, and head to John Nochta's house in Lexington to get a video. Steven is with us. We are starving. Coach French is in the house talking to Coach Nochta. Finally, out of frustration, I say, "Coach French, get your butt out here so we can go get something to eat!" We get to his house. Steven is in his room, and yells out, "Mom, get your butt in here!" Coach tells Mrs. French, "You can thank David for that."

Over the years, it became fun when Coach French would change jobs. One of my favorites, I got a call from Pulaski Southwestern while I am teaching at Mason County. I knew the guy on the other end of the phone, very well. He says, "Do you think Coach French would be interested in our job? Will you call him and ask him for us?" I agree to do so. But, on the surface, I am thinking, "There is no way he is going to leave Boyle." So, I call him and ask him, "Coach, I just got a call from Southwestern. They want you to be their head coach. Are you interested?" He says "David, any time a job opens up and they call us, aren't we ALWAYS interested?" Sure enough.... he became the head football coach at Pulaski Southwestern.

A few Decembers later, the rumor begins to spread that Coach French is headed to Middlesboro. I call him and ask, "Coach, Are you going to Middlesboro?" He says, "Well, David, I have been to Middlesboro. I can tell you how to get there if you need to go there." That was the Christmas that Stephanie said, "Tell NORAD, no one cares where Santa is. All we want to know is, 'WHERE IS COACH FRENCH?' "

Another time, the rumor was that I am leaving Mason and headed to Mercer. Coach French calls me from his office at Boyle County. He has Jeff Hester and Chris Mason with him. He says, "David, are you taking the Mercer job?" Lying, I say, "Yes. And, at Sundown, Coach Johnson and I are going to meet you, Hester & Mason at the Boyle County-Mercer County line." He responds, "You and Alvis are fine. But, don't bring Becky (my little sister)! I am scared of Becky!"

 

 

https://blackshoesandwhiteshoestrings.blogspot.com/2026/04/this-isn't-football-practice-its-ice.html

 

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