In a region recognized nationally for producing top tier athletes, the state of Florida has also helped develop standout coaches, thanks in part to the Florida Athletics Coaches Association. Established in 1936, the FACA helped shape the landscape of high school sports in Florida and throughout the country. Throughout its 74-year history, the association has been under the guidance of three Executive Directors, Leonard L. McLucas, Carey E. McDonald and most recently retired Wallace "Wink" Barnette.
After serving more years than any other Executive Director in FACA history, Barnette felt he needed to dedicate his complete time to his family at this point of his life.
“After 32 years, I just reached a point where I didn’t have the energy to do the little things I needed to do in order to keep the association where it is and take it to where it needs to be,” he said. “This job requires 100 % of a person’s time and, since I couldn’t give that anymore, I had to retire. I have a lot of respect and admiration for the association and wouldn’t want to give it nothing but my all.”
Five years into his move to Florida from Virginia, Barnette, who coached against Bill Yoast while at Jefferson high school, whose historical tenure with T.C. Williams was turned into the Disney classic "Remember the Titans", developed a name for himself amongst Florida's coaching circuit after leading Ocala Forest high school to back-to-back state championships in 1974 and '75.
As Executive Director of the association, Barnette's leadership and passion has helped etch his name in Florida High School sports history. His dedication in developing a formatted structure for Florida's high school coaches has helped him establish clinics that included guest appearances by some of the sports word’s most notable figures such as Bear Bryant, Frank Leahy, Bobby Dodd, Adolph Rupp, Bobby Bowden, Jack Nicklaus, Joe Paterno and Lou Holtz.
“Working with those gentlemen was an amazing experience to say the least,” said Barnette. “I learned so much from them as a coach and as a person. I actually still keep in contact with some of them and have developed a special friendship with Jack.”
Aside from creating the coaching clinics, Barnette's duties also included gathering members, handling finances, communicating with the state's sports chairman and overseeing the general operation of its many events including all-star games and award presentations.
With help from a staff that oversees more than 5,000 members, his leadership and passion helped mold a blueprint for the state's coaches and players. The structure was designed to propel Florida high school sports to a national level, and it has. The association is a big reason why prep sports in the state of Florida are recognized as one of the top quality levels of high school competition in the nation.
One of the association’s most notable achievements came in 1962, after eight years of struggle with the FHSAA, when it introduced the first state football championship playoff system. The milestone helped many of the school's, and its players, gain national attention and accomplish outstanding achievements ranging from national champions to All-Americans. In 2004, Barnette was inducted into the organization’s Coaches Hall of Fame.
Despite his retirement, Barnette made sure that the association was left in good hands. On December 12th Shelton Crews was officially appointed as the new Executive Director for the FACA but didn’t officially take over until July 1st. Crews has worked with Barnette in the past and was the Head football coach at Amos P. Godby High School (Tallahassee, Fla.).
“Shelton has a great relationship with many of the state’s coaches and has some really great ideas for the future of the association,” Barnette said. “He’s been apart of our team for the past 25 years and I think the association did the right job by choosing him. We’ve worked together on many occasions and trust me when I tell you that the future of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association is in good hands.”
Just as the two before him, Barnette raised the bar as Executive Director of the FACA. His hard work and dedication has helped generate interest and support from sports marketing firms such as Gatorade and Reebok along with Dairy Farmers and The Universal Cheerleading Association.
“I was honored when selected for the position as Executive Director in 1978," he said. "It has truly been a great experience and I have had the pleasure of meeting some great people along the way. I’m proud of our coaches and it has truly been an honor to serve and help those guys.”
