File photo courtesy of Garry Jessup
Bud Wright has been coaching in a stadium named after himself for 32 years.
At the end of the 2002 school year, Bud Wright considered retiring as head football coach at
Sheridan (Ind.) to spend more time with his family. But his wife of 40 years, Jayne, died the next year and he poured himself into the sport even more.
On Friday night 48 years of dedication paid off. Sheridan defeated Lapel 48-16 in a Class A sectional semifinal game, giving Wright his 369th career victory to make him the winningest football coach in Indiana history.
It's obvious his players wanted this one badly for their coach, because they roared to a 42-0 halftime lead and played probably their best game of an 8-3 season.
He already held the Indiana record for most state football championships (nine).
"I'm just looking at the fact that we've got a ball game to play (for the sectional title next Friday)," Wright said. "After the season is over, I'll sit back and reflect and have some good memories."
One thing he won't forget is that Bob Day, his high school coach when he played at Sheridan, presented him with the game ball.
His two daughters and youngest son, Travis, also were present for the historic victory. Travis is an assistant coach at Pioneer (Royal Center, Ind.). Two other sons had playoff games of their own that night. Kevin Wright is head coach at Carmel (Ind.), and Kent Wright is head coach at Lebanon (Ind.).
"I never really boosted it that way," he said of all three sons winding up following him as football coaches. "They made their own decisions."
Now retired from Jasper (Ind.), Jerry Brewer held the previous record of 368 victories, achieved over a 44-year span.
The 74-year-old Brewer said, "I have nothing but praise for Bud. I knew he would break the record. He's still coaching and all he had to do was continue to do what he was doing. I never got into coaching to have that record. You know the rule - records are made to be broken. Honestly, I don't think anyone will stay in it long enough anymore to break his record. I think it will stand forever."
Kevin Wright said that he began seeing his father as a potential record setter about 10 years ago.
"Then my mom passed away and he really threw himself into it," Kevin said. "He won three state titles in a row and had one second. Then it started getting interesting. He likes to fish, but he doesn't have any other hobbies. The only thing I can compare it to is Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden being succesful for 40 or 50 years."
Kevin, who won three large-school state titles at Warren Central (Indianapolis), believes the most remarkable thing about his father's success is that it has come at a very small school, with very few transfers.
"It's a farm town and the only town in Hamilton County which has not grown since the 1950s when dad went there," Kevin said. "Hamilton County is the fastest growing county in Indiana. The program looks the same. The names (second- to third-generation players) are the same. They have 30 to 50 players (grades 9-12) and always play up (bigger schools). He broke this record against bigger schools and a lot of odds."
Sheridan fans can thank Harvey Ebell for their Hall of Fame coach.
In 1974 - after four straight losing records - Bud probably would have lost his job if Ebell had not spoken on his behalf at a school board meeting. The next year the Blackhawks went 10-0 and the rest is history.
His home games have been played at Bud Wright Stadium since 1979 and he has had the privilege of coaching three of his grandsons. He was remarried last year to Ellen, who also loves football.
Though he's immersed in seeking his 10th state title right now, the 70-year-old Wright said celebrations will have to wait.
"We'll have a reception and get-together sometime after the season," he said.
File photo courtesy of Garry Jessup
Bud Wright won his Indiana-record 369th game on Friday night.