Winning football games has become a family tradition for some of the most successful coaches in high school history.
MaxPreps has compiled a list of 31 father-son coaching combinations that have accumulated more than 400 career victories. The five leading families have combined for more than 3,200 wins with coaching careers spanning multiple generations and, in several cases, more than half a century.
Larry "Bud" Wright and son Kevin Wright of Indiana lead the list with 693 combined victories.
Bud Wright collected 464 victories during a career that included 60 years at
Sheridan (Ind.), where he built one of Indiana’s most successful programs. He retired following the 2024 season but has since returned to coach at
Southwood (Wabash, Ind.) and add to his total.
Kevin Wright has contributed 229 victories while coaching at seven schools in Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Florida, most recently
Carmel (Ind.). His career spans 1991-2006, 2010-20 and 2025, including a four-year stint at
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).
Louisiana legend J.T. Curtis, the nation’s all-time wins leader, and his father John Curtis Sr., rank second with 647 victories — all at the school bearing the family name.
John Curtis Sr. launched the football program at
John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.) and collected eight victories from 1966 through 1968. J.T. Curtis took over in 1969 and raised the family's total by 639 through the 2025 season.
Illinois coaching greats Ken and Derek Leonard rank third with 637 victories.
Ken Leonard collected 420 at
Sacred Heart-Griffin (Springfield, Ill.) from 1984 through 2023. Derek Leonard has added 217 at
Rochester (Ill.) since 2005. The two built state powers about 15 miles apart, giving the Springfield area two of the nation's most consistently successful programs.
Alton "Red" Franklin and son David Franklin are fourth with 613 victories, all at
Haynesville (La.) in Louisiana.
Red Franklin accounted for 366 from 1966 through 2002 before turning the program over to his son. David Franklin has added 247 from 2003 through 2025, giving the family 60 consecutive seasons at the school.
The Davis family of Texas ranks fifth with 611 victories and is the only entry among the top five featuring a father and three sons.
Bobby Davis accounted for 247 during stops at
Wilson,
Post,
Calallen (Corpus Christi) and
Frenship (Wolfforth). His career covered the 1965-67 seasons and another stretch from 1971 through 2005.
Brad Davis added 126 at Frenship and
Grandview from 2006 through 2018. Brent Davis has contributed 237 while leading six different Texas schools. Richard Davis, Bobby's grandson, joined the family’s head coaching ranks at
Aransas Pass in 2025 and earned his first victory.
Two additional families deserve honorable mention.
Bud and Mike Grant have combined for 687 victories, a total that would rank second overall. However, Bud Grant’s 286 wins came with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League and Minnesota Vikings of the NFL rather than at the high school level. Mike Grant went 401-87, mostly at
Eden Prairie (Minn.), from 1981 through 2025.
Jerry and Ryan Pezzetti have combined for 549 victories in Iowa. Jerry Pezzetti, who coached at
Ankeny (Iowa) for over 40 years, has been at
Ankeny Centennial (Ankeny, Iowa) since 2013. He finished the 2025 season with a 460-190-1 record. Ryan Pezzetti has gone 89-48 while serving as co-head coach alongside his father at Centennial since 2013.
Winningest father-son combinations
1. Bud and Kevin Wright — 693 combined wins
Father: Larry “Bud” Wright
Record: 464-219
Schools: Mount Ayr (Iowa),
Sheridan (Ind.)Years: 1965-2024
Son: Kevin Wright
Record: 229-65
Schools: Seven in Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Florida, last at
Carmel (Ind.)Years: 1991-2006, 2010-2020, 2025
2. John Curtis Sr. and J.T. Curtis — 647
Father: John Curtis Sr.
Record: 8-16-2
School: John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.)Years: 1966-168
Son: J.T. Curtis
Record: 639-89-6
School: John Curtis Christian
Years: 1969-2025
3. Ken and Derek Leonard — 637
Father: Ken Leonard
Record: 420-85
School: Sacred Heart-Griffin (Springfield, Ill.)Years: 1984-2023
Son: Derek Leonard
Record: 217-40
School: Rochester (Ill.)Years: 2005-25
4. Red and David Franklin — 613
Father: Alton "Red" Franklin
Record: 366-76-8
School: Haynesville (La.)Years: 1966-2002
Son: David Franklin
Record: 247-66
School: Haynesville
Years: 2003-25
5. Bobby Davis and sons Brad and Brent and grandson Rich Davis — 611
Father: Bobby Davis
Record: 247-163-5
Schools: Four in Texas, last at
Frenship (Wolfforth, Texas)Years: 1965-67, 1971-2005
Son: Brad Davis
Record: 126-36
Teams: Frenship,
Grandview (Texas)Years: 2006-18
Son: Brent Davis
Record: 237-122-1
Schools: Six in Texas, last at
Gregory-Portland (Portland, Texas)Years: 1995-2025
Grandson: Richard Davis
Record: 1-9
School: Aransas Pass (Texas)Years: 2025
6. Roger and Brooks Barta — 599
Father: Roger Barta
Record: 324-66
Schools: Tescott (Kan.),
Smith Center (Kan.)Years: 1978-2012
Son: Brooks Barta
Record: 275-74
School: Holton (Kan.)Years: 1996-2025
7. Curtis Barbay and sons Brian and Darrell Barbay — 592
Father: Curtis Barbay
Record: 317-96-6
School: Newton (Texas)Years: 1975-2010
Son: Bryan Barbay
Record: 87-37-0
Schools: Coldspring-Oakhurst (Texas), Newton,
Merryville (La.)Years: 2007-15, 2025
Son: Darrell Barbay
Record: 188-107-0
Schools: Four in Texas and Louisiana, last at
Mansfield (La.)Years: 2000-25
8. Dick and Jim Tighe — 576
Father: Dick Tighe
Record: 432-167-8
Schools: Five schools in Iowa including
Webster City (Iowa)Years: 1954-2016
Son: Jim Tighe
Record: 144-127
Schools: Monticello (Iowa),
Spencer (Iowa)Years: 1994-2025
9. Jack and Battle Holley — 575
Father: Jack Holley
Record: 412-96-9
Schools: Five schools in North Carolina including
Wallace-Rose Hill (Teachey, N.C.)Years: 1964-2013
Son: Battle Holley
Record: 163-77
Schools: Wallace-Rose Hill,
Kinston (N.C.),
East Duplin (Beulaville, N.C.)Years: 2007-25
10. Dwight and Matt Lundeen — 566
Father: Dwight Lundeen
Record: 417-172-3
School: Becker (Minn.)Years: 1970-2025
Son: Matt Lundeen
Record: 149-126
School: Redwood Valley (Redwood Falls, Minn.)Years: 1997-2025
11. Don and Brent Bailey — 554
Father: Don Bailey
Record: 375-120-8
School: Forest Hills (Sidman, Pa.)Years: 1974-2022
Son: Brandon Bailey
Record: 179-98
School: Richland (Johnstown, Pa.)Years: 2002-25
11. Jack and Joe Morris — 554
Father: Jack Morris
Record: 254-50-2
School: Mayfield (Ky.)Years: 1969-92
Son: Joe Morris
Record: 300-56
School: Mayfield
Years: 1999-2023
13. John Niblett and sons Josh and Tad Niblett — 551
Father: John Niblett
Record: 229-110-0
Schools: 12 in Alabama and Georgia, last at
Hooper Academy (Hope Hull, Ala.)Years: 1970-2007
Son: Josh Niblett
Record: 269-64
Schools: Four, last at
Gainesville (Ga.)Years: 2000-25
Son: Tad Niblett
Record: 53-75
Schools: Three, last at
Foley (Ala.)Years: 1999-2005, 2015-19
14. George and Ken Potter — 548
Father: George Potter
Record: 180-124-2
Schools: Four in Oregon and Washington, last at
Centralia (Wash.)Years: 1952-77, 1980-87
Son: Ken Potter
Record: 368-92
School: Jesuit (Portland, Ore.)Years: 1987-2025
15. Dovey and Buddy Anderson — 526
Father: Dovey Anderson
Record: 180-82-27
School: Thomasville (Ala.)Years: 1931-61
Son: Buddy Anderson
Record: 346-160
School: Vestavia Hills (Ala.)Years: 1978-2020
16. John and Nick Hart — 511
Father: John Hart
Record: 363-100
Schools: Six in Illinois and Indiana, last at
Brownsburg (Ind.)Years: 1985-25
Son: Nick Hart
Record: 148-30
School: Gibson Southern (Fort Branch, Ind.)Years: 2012-2025
17. Robbie and Tucker Pruitt — 505
Father: Robbie Pruitt
Record: 415-103-1
Schools: Five in Florida and Georgia, last at
Union County (Lake Butler, Fla.)Years: 1984-2025
Son: Tucker Pruitt
Record: 90-31
Schools: Fitzgerald (Ga.),
Appling County (Baxley, Ga.)Years: 2017-25
18. Mike Battles Sr. and Mike Battles Jr. — 489
Father: Mike Battles Sr.
Record: 287-191-2
Schools: Ten in Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama, last at
Comer (Sylacauga, Ala.)Years: 1973-2017
Son: Mike Battles Jr.
Record: 202-114
Schools: Four, last at
Southern Academy (Greensboro, Ala.)Years: 1997-2025
19. Rodney and Chip Walker — 480
Father: Rodney Walker
Record: 300-141-3
Schools: Nine in Georgia, last at
Mary Persons (Forsyth, Ga.)Years: 1972-2011
Son: Chip Walker
Record: 180-74-1
Schools: Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.),
Newnan (Ga.)Years: 2005-25
20. Curt and Todd Bladt — 474
Father: Curt Bladt
Record: 415-63
School: Harlan (Iowa)Years: 1978-2018
Son: Todd Bladt
Record: 59-18
Team: Harlan
Years: 2019-25
21. Bob and Jeff Shore — 457
Father: Bob Shore
Record: 367-98-3
Schools: Jasper (Mo.),
East Newton (Granby, Mo.),
Camdenton (Mo.)Years: 1968-2010
Son: Jeff Shore
Record: 90-42
School: Camdenton
Years: 2011-22
22. Louis White and sons Laron and Kelvis White — 456
Father: Louis White
Record: 181-83
School: Courtland (Ala.)
Years: 1975-98
Son: Laron White
Record: 182-60
Schools: Tanner (Ala.),
Sparkman (Harvest, Ala.)Years: 2003-22
Son: Kelvis White
Record: 93-100
Schools: Three, last at
Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.)Years: 2008-25
23. Lee Holladay and sons Trey and John Holladay — 455
Father: Lee Holladay
Record: 214-165-6
Schools: 15 in Alabama and Florida, last at
Central Christian (Robertsdale, Ala.)Years: 1962-2001, 2007
Son: Trey Holladay
Record: 92-107
Schools: Five, last at
Smiths Station (Smiths, Ala.)Years: 1987-2004
Son: John Holladay
Record: 149-88
Schools: Seven, last at
Etowah (Attalla, Ala.)Years: 1996-2019
24. Lou and John Marinelli — 453
Father: Lou Marinelli
Record: 417-114-7
Schools: Mamaroneck (N.Y.),
Yorktown (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.),
New Canaan (Conn.)Years: 1976, 1979-2019 2022-25
Son: John Marinelli
Record: 36-10
School: Greenwich (Conn.)Years: 2015-18
25. Waldon and Lance Tucker — 448
Father: Waldon Tucker
Record: 322-144-3
Schools: Gordo (Ala.),
Fayette County (Fayette, Ala.),
Demopolis (Ala.)Years: 1973-2010, 2020-21
Son: Lance Tucker
Record: 126-62
Schools: Four, last at Demopolis
Years: 2010-24
26. Morris and Robert Higginbotham — 431
Father: Morris Higginbotham
Record: 161-75-11
Schools: Seven in Alabama, last at
Hueytown (Ala.)Years: 1952-66, 1970-75, 1978-81
Son: Robert Higginbotham
Record: 270-127-3
Schools: Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.),
Shades Valley (Birmingham, Ala.),
Tuscaloosa County (Northport, Ala.)Years: 1973-2008
27. Jim and Erik Teague — 419
Father: Jimmy "Jim" Teague
Record: 380-111-0
Schools: Four, including
Reidsville (N.C.)Years: 1985-2008, 2010-22
Son: Erik Teague
Record: 39-4
School: Reidsville
Years: 2023-2025
28. John DiBiaso Sr. and John DiBiaso — 414
Father: John DiBiaso Sr.
Record: 31 wins
School: Immaculate Conception (Mass.)
Years: 1967-72
Son: John DiBiaso, Jr.
Record: 383-87-2
Schools: Four, last at
Catholic Memorial (Waukesha, Wis.)Years: 1982-2025
29. Jim and Brent Hubbert — 412
Father: Jim Hubbert
Record: 171-51
Schools: Maplesville (Ala.),
Lanett (Ala.)Years: 1984-2000
Son: Brent Hubbert
Record: 241-59
Schools: Maplesville,
T.R. Miller (Brewton, Ala.),
Jemison (Ala.)Years: 2001-25
30. Robert and Mike Paroli — 409
Father: Robert "Bob" Paroli
Record: 403-206-13
Schools: Seven in New York and North Carolina, last at
Seventy-First (Fayetteville, N.C.)Years: 1958-2012
Son: Mike Paroli
Record: 6-38
School: Douglas Byrd (Fayetteville, N.C.)Years: 2016-19
31. Ronnie and Chip Jones — 401
Father: Ronnie Jones
Record: 346-126-5
Schools: Four, including
Westfield School (Perry, Ga.)Years: 1976-2015
Son: Chance Jones
Record: 55-40
Schools: Three, last at
Southland Academy (Americus, Ga.)Years: 2016-25
Honorable Mention
Bud and Mike Grant — 687
Father: Bud Grant
Record: 286-172-8
Teams: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL), Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
Years: 1957-85
Note: Grant did not coach high school football, only the Canadian Football League and the National Football League.
Son: Mike Grant
Record: 401-87
Schools: Forest Lake (Minn.),
Eden Prairie (Minn.)Years: 1981-86, 1989-91, 1992-2025
Jerry and Ryan Pezzetti — 549
Father: Jerry Pezzetti
Record: 460-190-1
Schools: Four schools in Iowa, last at
Ankeny Centennial (Ankeny, Iowa)Years: 1961-2025
Son: Ryan Pezzetti
Record: 89-48
School: Ankeny Centennial
Years: 2013-25
Note: Co-head coach with his father Jerry during their tenure at Centennial.
