Belfry area mourns loss of Coach Philip Haywood

By Roberta Cantrell

BSN Editor

Just days after having a wreck, due to black ice, Belfry High School Coach Philip Haywood passed away on Wednesday Jan. 22, from the serious injuries he suffered.

Pike County Emergency Management reported that the crash, which occurred Saturday, Jan. 18, on Forest Hills Road, was caused by black ice that resulted in Haywood’s vehicle hitting a tree stump and crashing into a nearby creek. Haywood was the only person involved in the incident.

Haywood, 73, was the fifth winningest active coach in the country, the winningest coach in Kentucky, and had been the head coach at Belfry an astounding 41 years.

“It went far beyond the football field. It went far beyond the school,” said Belfry Middle School Football Coach Jonathan Bogar. “To give more than you get. To give back to your community. You’re not gonna be perfect, you’re gonna make a lot of mistakes along the way, but strive to do your best. Try to make a positive impact on as many people as you can.”

“Well, you think of Belfry High School, you think of Philip Haywood, the things he accomplished over the years, and the lives that he has touched- the students that he has mentored,” said Matt Varney BHS Asst. Principal and Asst. Football Coach. “We’re gonna just take what he has instilled in us and bring it to these teams. Our goals are going to be the same. We’re gonna do the same thing and hopefully make him proud.”

Haywood was also the author of two books, the first was “Faith, Family and Football” published Dec. 23, 2014, followed by “Climb the Mountain” published May 17, 2023.

He also served as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle leader at Belfry for more than 25 years and was a youth leader at his church.

In 2013 Haywood was voted USA Today’s best high school football coach.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Nalley Haywood; children, Melissa Haygood and Jacquelyn (Greg) Rybczynski; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a sister, Rebecca (Jim) Valdes.

Services were held Sunday Jan. 26, at the Belfry High School Gymnasium.

Coach Haywood’s family asks, in order to honor his wishes, that any gifts be given to Belfry Methodist Church (109 Main St., Belfry, KY 41514) or Maximize Education Scholarship Fund (PayPal.Me/MaxEducation) so his life can keep making a difference for others.