Gridiron Icons: Arkansas' Greatest High School Coaches

From his childhood in Jacksonville to becoming the 4th all-time winning high school football coach in Arkansas history, we hear from 7-time state champion Bernie Cox. Cox coached nationally prestigious Little Rock Central as an assistant from 1972-74 and then took over as head coach from 1975-2009 winning 271 games. Though he achieved elite success, he is quick to point the reasoning to the loyalty on his coaching staff, the buy-in to the football program from other athletic departments, and of course the multitude of talented players that he coached including Houston Nutt, Marcus Elliot, and many others. 

Growing up in Morrilton, Bobby Tiner found a love for sports at a young age. As a stellar athlete coming out of high school, he continued his legacy at the University of Central Arkansas excelling in both football and basketball...but that almost did not happen. Following his college tenure, he spent two seasons with the Arkansas Diamonds of the short-lived Continental Football League before beginning his 35-year coaching career. He spent his entire career at now-defunct Oak Grove High School as an assistant from 1971-76, then taking over as head coach from 1977-01. Stories include his multi-sport Hall of Fame career, winning the 1979 state championship, and coaching Razorback great Darren McFadden

Growing up in Lake Village, David Alpe developed a passion for the game of football at a young age. After a great high school career in which he scored 39 touchdowns his senior season, Alpe accepted a full ride to Southern Arkansas University where he was named All-AIC three times (1959-61) and inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2013. He accepted his first assistant coaching position fresh out of college in 1962 at Little Rock Catholic under the legendary Mike Malham Sr. where he stayed until 1965. He spent one season at Helena while contemplating going into the irrigation business before accepting his first and last head coaching position at Malvern. There he would spend 36 years winning 239 games, 16 conference titles, and a state championship in 1993 before retiring in 2001.

A Fayetteville native, Mike Adams spent his entire coaching career as both an assistant and head coach. He had tenures leading Charleston, Fayetteville, and Farmington eclipsing 200+ wins, including reaching 100 during his 18 years at Farmington. From overcoming tragically losing his wife due to a car accident and onward to great success, we dive into the mind of his illustrious career which spanned over 4 decades.

Starting with his beginnings in small town southwest Arkansas, we dive into the mind of one of the most unique minds in the game of football. Kevin Kelley began his coaching career at a junior high school in the Dallas metropolis as a scout and 7th grade coach before taking the offensive coordinator job at Pulaski Academy in 1997. He hit the ground running after being named head coach in 2003 leading to a historic career that has has gained nationwide fame and helped earn him his first Division 1 job at Presbyterian College. He covers topics including his analytical approach to the game including being tabbed "The Coach Who Never Punts", 9 state titles, his friendship with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, and much more

Jerry Clay is the 6th all all-time winningest coach in Arkansas high school football history, a feat he accomplished at both Fountain Lake and Lake Hamilton. We dive into his life growing up in the Bear Hollow Community near Greenwood, what led him to coaching, his love for music, and more!

Tommy Tice has coached in more high school football games than anyone in Arkansas history. He is the state's 3rd-winningest coach achieving 289 at both Harrison and his alma mater, Huntsville. He tells us about his his childhood falling in love with sports, becoming a head coach in his early 20's, battling Crohn's disease, mentoring Razorback legend Brandon Burlsworth, and more!