Georgia's most successful active coaches

By Michael Carvell

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Billy Henderson, one of the state’s living legends for high school football, will be honored Friday before Clarke Central’s home game with Habersham Central.

Henderson retired after the 1995 season with a career record of 285-107-6 and three state championships over 35 seasons. He had numerous players make it to the NFL, including Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay and former Falcons defender Chuck Smith.

Here are five of the state’s most successful active coaches:

Larry Campbell, Lincoln County

Record: 428-73-3

Quick facts: One of the nation’s most accomplished coaches over 38 years while leading the Red Devils to 11 state championships. Ex-NFL tailback Garrison Hearst leads the list of former Lincoln County standouts from the Class A powerhouse.

Campbell said it: “It’s due to players. That’s a simple answer. I’m a good coach when I have good players. When I don’t, I’m not a good one. By all means, that would be the top priority. The second thing is maintaining a good coaching staff for a number of years.”

Friday night: Hephzibah at Lincoln County, 7:30

Alan Chadwick, Marist

Record: 273-46

Quick facts: Other coaches have won more state championships than Chadwick, who has claimed two in four championship appearances. However, Chadwick’s career winning percentage of .856 is the stuff of legends.

Chadwick said it: “We’ve been fortunate to have had our share of athletes and good coaching staffs put together at Marist. Our kids work hard, and we’ve established a winning tradition that every team strives to continue. A lot of things play into our success ... not just me, or any one person.”

Friday night: Chamblee at Marist, 7:30

Cecil Flowe, Parkview

Record: 172-40

Quick facts: Oversaw one of the state’s most impressive modern-day dynasties with a 46-game winning streak and three state titles from 2000-02 in the state’s largest classification. Flowe also captured a state title in 1997.

Flowe said it: “I’m very humbled with the success we’ve had because I know there have been a lot of coaches who have been doing this much longer and haven’t experienced some of the things we’ve been blessed to accomplish at Parkview. Those state championship seasons are very special, and they are what keep you going in this business.”

Friday night: Berkmar at Parkview, 7:30

Ed Pilcher, Bainbridge

Record: 219-75-1

Quick facts: While at Thomas County Central from 1991-2007, Pilcher piled up five state championships. His former quarterback Charlie Ward is one of two players from Georgia high schools to win the Heisman Trophy.

Pilcher said it: “I’ve just always taken it one game at a time. I coach for the passion of the game. You know, you’ve got be passionate about what you’re doing. We’ve been fortunate to have great assistant coaches and kids that love to play.”

Friday night: Bainbridge at Lee County, 7:30

Luther Welsh, Thomson

Record: 313-150-5

Quick facts: He’s the state’s oldest head coach at 77 years old, and also one of the most successful. Welsh has won three states titles at Thomson.

Welsh said it: “I enjoy coaching. If I quit, I don’t know what I’d do. I’d probably go crazy. It’s something to keep you occupied, and I’ve stayed very active my entire life. It gets kind of hectic at times, but I love it. I’ll probably coach two or three more years, if my health holds out, and I’m doing well right now.”

Friday night: Thomson at Hart County, 7:30

Best of the rest: Northside-Warner Robins’ Conrad Nix, Bowden’s Dwight Hochstetler, Southwest DeKalb’s Buck Godfrey, Valdosta’s Rick Tomberlin, Camden County’s Jeff Herron, LaGrange’s Steve Pardue, Greene County’s Charles Winslette, Lowndes’ Randy McPherson, Jefferson’s T McFerrin.