NC high school football state records: Coaching career wins at same school

Below is information about the coaching record for most career wins at same school in N.C. High School Athletic Association state history.

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Coaching Record: Most Career Wins at Same School | NCHSAA

1. David Gentry (Murphy) - 366 (36 years)

David Gentry retired from coaching after the 2021 spring season. His 366 wins at Murphy ranks him at the top of the list of most career wins at a single school. Gentry also hold the record for most total career wins with 426 at Murphy, Edneyville, and Chatham. His career record is 426-195-3. He became the all-time leader in coaching wins in 2019 with a win over Swain County. In the spring of 2021, before announcing his retirement, Gentry won his seventh state championship.

2. Jimmy Teague (Reidsville) - 339 (37 years)

Longtime Reidsville football coach Jimmy Teague retired after the 2022 season, posting a record of 339-58 at the school. Teague had two stints at Reidsville from 1992-2008 and 2012-2022. His time at Reidsville included 11 appearances in state championship games where the Rams won eight titles. Overall, Teague has a record of 380-151 at Eastern Alamance, Garinger, Reidsville, and George Washington (Va.).

3. Tom Brown (Maiden) - 330 (35 years)

In two stints at Maiden, Tom Brown totaled 330 wins in 35 years. His win total was the best at a single school until David Gentry passed him at Murphy. The football stadium at Maiden is named in Brown's honor. He coached at Maiden from 1966-1978 and again from 1986-2007. Tom Brown won a total of 352 games at Bunker Hill, East Burke, and Maiden, posting a combined record of 365-140-7. Brown retired from coaching while at East Burke after the 2016 season. Brown died on Feb. 25, 2021, at the age of 77.

4. Frank Barger (Hickory) - 273 (31 years)

Frank Barger spent one year at Mineral Springs in Forsyth County before beginning his career as the football coach at Hickory in 1949. He remained at the school through 1985, and that included 31 years as the head football coach. In that time, he teams won 12 conference titles, including three Western North Carolina High School Activities Association championships. His career record was 273-120-5. The stadium at Hickory is named in Barger's honor.

5. E.Z. Smith (Concord) - 254 (29 years)

E.Z. Smith spent 29 years as the head football coach at Concord before resigning in January 2009. A graduate of Concord, Smith posted a record of 254-100-1, including two state championships in 2004 and 2006. In his 29 seasons, Smith's teams only suffered two losing seasons. He began coaching at Concord in 1980.

6. Thell Overman (Wallace & Wallace-Rose Hill) - 245 (30 years)

In 30 seasons at Wallace and Wallace-Rose Hill, Thell Overman won 245 games, making him one of the winningest coaches in North Carolina high school history. He also coached at Warrenton and posted a career record of 278-73-6 in football. Overman also coached basketball and baseball, and his combined record across all sports was an impressive 1078-233-6.

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