High school football: Kentucky coaching legend Bob Beatty retires after leading Trinity to 15th state title

By Aaron Williams Jan 7, 2021, 12:45pm

Shamrocks were 15-2 in championship games since Missouri native took over program in 2000.

Bob Beatty became head football coach at Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) in 2000 and won 15 state championships in a 21-year span. Thursday, he announced his retirement, according to multiple media reports.

Trinity, No. 11 in the MaxPreps Top 25, won the Kentucky 6A title this season, dominating Male 28-0 to cap a 10-0 season and earn the school's 27th overall banner.

"I don’t think there’s any question he’s the most accomplished coach in the history of Kentucky high school football," Male head coach Chris Wolfe told the Louisville Courier-Journal. "The greatest 20-year run that I’m aware of, just a remarkable career at Trinity. Whoever comes in after him has got monster shoes to fill. (It’s) an incredible run."

A 2018 Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Beatty never went more than one season without winning a state title with his teams going 90-6 in the postseason, including 15-2 in the state final. He coached for 43 years, including time spent at three Missouri schools, beginning his career as an assistant at Clinton in 1979.

Beatty, 65, was 254-44 in 21 seasons with the Louisville power. He leaves after back-to-back titles. His Trinity teams also won three straight titles twice (2001-02 and 2010-12) and four straight from 2005-2008.



Trinity titles under Beatty

2001 — 13-1, beat Male 45-19 in championship game
2002 — 15-0, beat Male 59-56
2003 — 11-4, beat St. Xavier 17-14
2005 — 13-2, beat St. Xavier 14-6
2006 — 14-1, beat Ryle 41-7
2007 — 13-2, beat St. Xavier 34-28 (OT)
2008 — 14-1, beat Simon Kenton 48-0
2010 — 14-1, beat Male 38-0
2011 — 14-0, beat Scott County 62-21
2012 — 13-1, beat Pleasure Ridge Park 61-7
2014 — 10-5, beat Dixie Heights 47-14
2016 — 15-0, beat Lafayette 56-21
2017 — 15-0, beat St. Xavier 38-21
2019 — 13-2, beat Male 28-6
2020 — 10-0, beat Male 28-0
Trinity head coach Bob Beatty announced his retirement Thursday after winning 15 Kentucky football titles in 21 seasons.
Trinity head coach Bob Beatty announced his retirement Thursday after winning 15 Kentucky football titles in 21 seasons.
File photo by Jason Goode