Chattanooga, Tenn.–The Tennessee Football Coaches Association (TnFCA) inducted two Hall of Fame classes for the 2020 and 2021 seasons on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Ridgedale Baptist Church in Chattanooga and among the new inductees was the late Henry County High School Patriots’ Coach James Counce Sr.
Eight total coaches were inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, and a ninth in Oakland’s Kevin Creasy will be honored next season. Creasy’s team defeated Summit for the Class 6A state title on Saturday night.
“The Tennessee Football Coaches Association is proud to announce the induction of the 2020 and 2021 classes of coaches. These men have made an impact in the lives of young men for decades that far exceeded their wins and losses and championships,” TnFCA president Matthew Bates said.
The 2020 TnFCA Volunteer of the Year award went to Josh Corey, the Director of Marketing, Youth and Community Engagement for the Tennessee Titans.
“Josh has played an important role for TnFCA by helping us partner with (the) Titans to promote high school football in Tennessee,” Bates said.
“Two things stuck out from each of these men’s speeches: relationships and appreciation to their families for allowing them to coach,” Bates said. “Coaching is a relationship-oriented business and these men have built them to last a lifetime.
“Their families made many sacrifices so they could invest in the lives of their players and coaches, and that sacrifice hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
The 2021 TnFCA Volunteer of the Year award went to former TnFCA president and current Christian Brothers head coach Thomas McDaniel.
“Coach McDaniel served as president for seven years and in that time the organization grew to greater heights and gained a more powerful voice with the TSSAA,” Bates said. “We are forever grateful for his leadership, his time and commitment to our organization.”
This distinguished group of Hall of Fame coaches have combined for 1,482 wins, 150 playoff appearances and 17 state titles.