Yahoo Sports Philip Haywood, Kentucky’s winningest high school football coach, dies at 73
Belfry’s Philip Haywood, the winningest coach in the history of Kentucky high school football, died Wednesday at age 73.
He was seriously injured in a car crash in Pike County and was taken to UK Healthcare, according to reports Saturday.
Last season was Haywood’s 50th as a head coach at Belfry High School in Pike County.
Haywood reigned as Kentucky high school football’s all-time coaching wins leader with a record of 491-162. He was the first high school football coach in Kentucky history to eclipse 400 wins, which he did in 2015.
“Philip Haywood’s legacy isn’t that he was a giant among coaches with his 491 victories. His legacy is that he was a mentor to thousands of young men, and he preached to them that faith and family always came before football. That was the life he led,” said longtime Herald-Leader high school sports writer Mike Fields, who covered many of Haywood’s milestone moments.
A Prestonsburg native, he coached his alma mater, Prestonsburg High School, for nine seasons, beginning in 1975. He took over at Belfry in 1984 and established a remarkable legacy that included eight state championships and six runner-up finishes.
The Pirates’ titles included four straight Class 3A crowns from 2013 to 2016. They also won in 2003, 2004, 2019 and 2021. During the 2021 state title season, he coached Kentucky Mr. Football winner Isaac Dixon, who rushed for 1,986 yards and 29 touchdowns that year.
“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Coach Haywood ... whose legacy goes far beyond his record,” said Freddie Bowling, Pike County Schools superintendent, in a social media post Wednesday night. “Known for his integrity, Christian values, leadership, and kindness, he touched the lives of countless players, coaches, and communities.
“His commitment to excellence was matched only by his dedication to shaping young men of character, both on and off the field. He will be greatly missed, but his impact will continue to inspire future generations.”
U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers on Wednesday night shared a Congressional tribute he gave in 2017 about Haywood.
“Coach Philip Haywood’s state football championships and national recognitions are only a reflection of the tenacious work that took place behind the scenes - in the locker rooms, on the practice field and outside of Belfry High School. Coach Haywood was more than a football coach; he was a life coach, driving hope in the mountains for over four generations of football players, families and community members.”
Last season, Belfry went 11-3 and won district and region titles on the way to a Class 3A state semifinals appearance.
In 2013, Haywood was named USA Today’s Best High School Football Coach in America. In 2017, Haywood became the first Kentucky coach to be named the national football coach of the year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. Haywood was inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.
Haywood got his start in coaching as a student teacher at Tates Creek in 1972 where he met Commodores head coach Roy Walton, a Kentucky high school coaching legend already in the making. It was the beginning of a close friendship that lasted until Walton’s death in 2010.
“Without a doubt, he was my greatest mentor over the years,” Haywood said. “More than that, he was like a second dad to me. ... He had a great impact on me, not just about coaching, but how you deal with people and life.”
Walton led Tates Creek to an undefeated state championship that fall while Haywood watched and learned. Walton’s influence on Haywood also extended to his choice of game-day attire. They both always wore a coat and tie on the sidelines.
“I remember Roy saying it was kind of like going to a symphony — it was his night to dress up,” Haywood told the Herald-Leader’s Fields. “He wanted to make it special, and so I thought, ‘I’m going to do that, too.’“
Haywood’s first paid coaching job came under Jim DeVries at Meade County. Meade had a run-first philosophy and a penchant for the triple option, things that would become a hallmark of Haywood’s teams for decades.
Two years later, Haywood began his head coaching career at Prestonsburg, where he led the Blackcats to a pair of state finals appearances before building Belfry into a powerhouse.
After he broke the previous all-time coaching wins record in 2011 with a win over Pike County Central, Haywood deflected credit from himself, something he did at every occasion.
“I’m getting all this publicity, but I have to give credit to all kinds of people,” he said. “We started selling sweatshirts this week that say ‘Faith, Family, Football.’ That’s our community. That’s what we believe in.”
“Faith, Family, and Football” would become the title of his first book, an autobiography, two years later.
At the time of his record-breaking win back then, Haywood had a chance to reflect on his career. He said all of his former players held a piece of his record, but they also reflected his mission in life.
“If you look at the grand scheme of things, the best thing about coaching high school football is seeing young men develop and seeing them when they’re 30 or 40 years old, out there successful and contributing to society.
“Hopefully, we had a hand in that. That means a lot more to me than wins and losses.”
Reaction from around Kentucky
Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops
“I just heard about the passing of longtime Belfry football coach Philip Haywood and my thoughts and prayers go out to all who knew him. He was a legendary coach and a great man.”
Longtime NBC sportscaster Kenny Rice
“I hosted the Philip Haywood Show in 1975. Even then you knew big things were coming. Winningest football coach in KY, National HOF 8 Championships. I was honored to write the foreword for his book. He lived the title. The news today stings.”
Julian Tackett, KHSAA commissioner
“Hard to believe how quickly things can change and happen. While the history books will write about 491-162 on Friday nights from 1975 to 2024, the real history is told in the lives of the people he coached, mentored, and was more like a father to so many. As I told a small group a little while ago, our only goal in all of this should be to say that we made a difference in the lives of those we came in contact with. And he certainly did. I will miss his regular calls and conversations and gleaning from his wisdom, and many times, just about ‘stuff.’
“Coach Philip Haywood will be missed in more ways than imaginable.
May he RIP.”
Louisville Central head coach Marvin Dantzler
“Prayers to the Belfry community and Haywood family as we are all saddened about the news. A true high school football legend — 491 wins over a remarkable career. Even better person if you ever got to know him.”
St. Xavier coach Kevin Wallace
“My prayers to the Belfry community, the Haywood family, and all those Phillip touched thru his personal ministry. The wins on the field don’t tell the story of impact he’s had.”
Hazard football coach Matt Chandler
“The word legend gets thrown around way too often but it doesn’t do enough to account for what Coach Haywood did for our state, our game, and the coaching community. Hazard football and all of our players’ and coaches’ thoughts and prayers are with Coach Haywood’s family and the Belfry community.”
Former Herald-Leader high school sports writer Josh Moore.
“My heart breaks for the community of Belfry and for all of Eastern Kentucky. Philip Haywood was a great mentor to hundreds of young people in the mountains, and a tremendous advocate and ambassador for the region. He could coach the hell out of some football, too.”
Services for Philip Haywood
A visitation for Haywood is set for Saturday from 3-8 p.m. in the Belfry High School auditorium.
Haywood’s funeral will take place at noon Sunday in the Belfry High School gym.
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