1. John McKissick (Summerville HS, S.C.) – 586 wins, 138 losses, 13 ties (10-3 last season)
John McKissick has an outside shot at
reaching 600 wins this season.
Photo by CBSnews.com
Starting his 60th year – all at Summerville - the 84-year-old McKissick is the undisputed king of coaching high school football. He's won 10 South Carolina state titles and was elected to the National High School Hall of Fame – get this – 21 years ago. He's coached all three of his grandsons. When he starts this season, he'll be the longest-tenured coach in the history of the sport, surpassing Amos Alonzo Stagg, who coached various levels for 59. When McKissick started in 1952 as a 25-year-old, he made $2,400 a year. Summerville would likely have to get to the state title game for McKissick to have a chance to win No. 600. No one other than McKissick has even reached 500, though John T. Curtis will likely get there with just eight to go.
2011: The Green Wave returns third-year quarterback Dalton Saunders and a trio of Division I prospects, running back Nigel Frierson, center Jarrid Govia and receiver Markese Tucker. In classic coach speak, McKissick told the High School Sports Report: "We might go 0-11 this season but I hope not. We are real green in spots but we do have several returning players to build around."
2. John T. Curtis (Curtis HS, River Ridge, La.) – 492-54-6 (12-2)The only coach in America who coaches at a school named after him, the 2010 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee has won 23 state titles which places the Patriots for ninth nationally, 12 behind the 36 by No. 1 Washington (Sioux Falls, S.D.). Curtis, 64, not only built the school but his program from the ground up. The Patriots went 0-10 his first season in 1969 and scored just two touchdowns. "I really had some soul searching to do at that point," he said. "I had to ask myself, ‘Was I doing the right thing?'"
2011: The Patriots return 12 starters including LSU-bound tight end Dillon Gordon and Mississippi State commit Torrey Bell at linebacker. As long as the Pats get by their first seven opponents, No. 500 for Curtis could come against Clark (New Orleans, La.) on Oct. 28.
3. Larry Campbell (Lincoln County HS, Lincolnton, Ga.) 447-78-3 (10-3)The first Georgia coach to reach 400 wins, Campbell turned a .500 program (237-232-43 before he got there) into the state's most successful. In 39 seasons – he started in 1972 – he's led the Red Devils to 11 state titles, the last coming in 2006. The team has set more than 20 state records with him as coach. This will be his 40th season at the small school of 400 students. He told MaxPreps in 2009, "I feel pressure, yes. Anything less than a state championship is considered a disappointment. People here don't believe in rebuilding. To be successful, you have to get to the big one year after year. … Lincoln County loves its football. The community tries to give us everything we need to be successful within reason. I think it is unique that one person and most of the staff have been here that long. There was Lincoln County football before Larry Campbell and there will be when I'm gone. The football program is about the community, the players and the assistant coaches. I am a small part of what has happened here."
2011: The Red Devils return two key playmakers, leading rusher from 2010 Craig Jones and leading receiver Mason Saggus. They hope to not only win their first state crown in five years, but knock off Savannah Christian along the way. Savannah Christian has eliminated Lincoln County the last two seasons.
4. G.A. Moore Aubrey HS (Texas), 422-86-9 (4-6)
The winningest coach in Texas history, Moore has had eight different coaching stints, including two runs at Celina and three at Pilot Point. Moore had his greatest run during a 14-year span at Celina starting in 1988 where he won five state championships. He won four of those titles in consecutive seasons and went 163-22 during that time at Celina. Moore moved on to Aubrey in 2009.
2011: The Chaparrals have been chosen to finish third in District 9-3A by Dave Campbell's Texas Football after finishing 4-6 last year. Moore returns RB Albert Silva, who rushed for 550 yards last season, and LB Matt Anson, who racked up 115 tackles last year.
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