Hurst won his first state championship in 1976. In 2025, he won his 10th. On the list of coaches who have the most years between first and most recent state titles, no coach went longer between than Hurst, whose career record stands at 451-153 in the
MaxPreps National High School Football Record Book. His 2025 title gave him a championship in a fifth different decade.
According to an article on Hurst by Robert Wilson of Mississippi Scoreboard prior to the start of the 2025 season, Hurst had valve replacement surgery that summer. The 77-year-old coach also previously had heart valve surgery in 2012 and a previous bout with prostate cancer.
Centreville Academy head coach Bill Hurst (right) with grandson John Austin Sterling (No. 5) and an assistant coach. (PHOTO: Centreville Academy Athletics)
However, Hurst was able to rebound and lead the Tigers to the championship, which required the team to rally from a 14-0 halftime deficit to a 32-14 win over
Lee Academy (Clarksdale).
"I've been blessed by the Good Lord to coach for many years," Hurst told Wilson. "I have a great wife, great kids and been fortunate to stay healthy. God has been good to me."
Hurst stepped down as head coach of the Tigers after last year's championship and he is now the team's defensive coordinator.
J.T. Curtis (639-89-6) knows something about keeping a program on top. His first championship at
John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.) came in 1975 and the Patriots were still bringing home trophies in 2022, a span of 47 years. That 2022 victory was the school's 27th official state title.
Bob Sanger’s 46-year span began with a title at Britt in 1973 and ended with one at at the renamed
West Hancock (Britt, Iowa) in 2019. In between, he won another championship in 1996. Those three titles were part of a coaching career that produced a 358-160 record.
Jim Hightower (490-142-1) had to build his championship résumé at two Louisiana schools. He won at Catholic–Pointe Coupee in 1978, then collected five more titles at
St. Thomas More (Lafayette), finishing with the 2023 crown. That gave him six championships spread across 45 years.
Jerry Sinz matched that 45-year span without leaving
Edgar (Wis.). His Wildcats won their first state title under him in 1979 and their ninth in 2024. Through the 2025 season, MaxPreps lists Sinz at 497-93.
For all five coaches, the gap between the first trophy and the last tells only part of the story. They kept winning championships along the way.
Most years between first and last state championship
1. Lea "Bill" Hurst – 49 years
First: Centreville Academy (Centreville, Miss.), 1976
Last: Centreville Academy, 2025
2. J.T. Curtis – 47 years
First: John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.), 1975
Last: John Curtis Christian, 2022
3. Bob Sanger – 46 years
First: Britt, 1973
Last: West Hancock (Britt, Iowa), 2019
4. Jim Hightower – 45 years
First: Catholic–Pointe Coupee, 1978
Last: St. Thomas More (Lafayette, La.), 2023
4. Jerry Sinz – 45 years
First: Edgar (Wis.), 1979
Last: Edgar, 2024
6. Lou Marinelli – 43 years
First: New Canaan (Conn.), 1982
Last: New Canaan, 2025
6. John McKissick – 43 years
First: Summerville (S.C.), 1955
Last: Summerville, 1998
8. Charles "Chuck" Lenahan – 41 years
First: Plymouth (N.H.), 1972
Last: Plymouth, 2013
9. Todd Dayton – 37 years
First: Cokeville (Wyo.), 1986
Last: Cokeville, 2023
9. John Wolfgram – 37 years
First: Madison (Maine), 1974
Last: Cheverus (Portland, Maine), 2011
11. Jack Martinelli – 36 years
First: Foxborough (Mass.), 1987
Last: Foxborough, 2023
11. Bill Castle – 36 years
First: Lakeland (Fla.), 1986
Last: Lakeland, 2022
11. Robert Hyland – 36 years
First: St. Mary's Springs (Fond du Lac, Wis.), 1983
Last: St. Mary's Springs, 2019
11. Al Fracassa – 36 years
First: Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), 1977
Last: Brother Rice, 2013
15. David Gentry – 35 years
First: Murphy (N.C.), 1986
Last: Murphy, 2021
16. Monte Kohler – 34 years
First: O'Dea (Seattle, Wash.), 1991
Last: O'Dea, 2025
17. Jeff Bellar – 33 years
First: Norfolk Catholic (Norfolk, Neb.), 1991
Last: Norfolk Catholic, 2024
17. Reno Saccoccia – 33 years
First: Steubenville (Ohio), 1984
Last: Steubenville, 2017
17. Rich Zinanni – 33 years
First: Bishop McNamara (Kankakee, Ill.), 1982
Last: Bishop McNamara, 2015
20. C.J. Hamilton – 32 years
First: Silver Lake (Kan.), 1981
Last: Silver Lake, 2013
21. Jim Roth – 31 years
First: Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa, Pa.), 1994
Last: Southern Columbia, 2025
21. Alan Chadwick – 31 years
First: Marist (Atlanta, Ga.), 1989
Last: Marist, 2020
21. Ronnie Jones – 31 years
First: Brookwood (Thomasville, Ga.), 1983
Last: Westfield School (Perry, Ga.), 2014
24. Tom Mach – 30 years
First: Catholic Central (Novi, Mich.), 1979
Last: Catholic Central, 2009
24. Larry Campbell – 30 years
First: Lincoln County (Lincolnton, Ga.), 1976
Last: Lincoln County, 2006
24. Mike Smith – 30 years
First: Hampton (Va.), 1975
Last: Hampton, 2005
24. Alton "Red" Franklin – 30 years
First: Haynesville (La.), 1970
Last: Haynesville, 2000
Did we miss anyone? Email Kevin Askeland at kevinaskeland65@gmail.com
