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Legendary Georgia high school football coach passes away

IMG_8358by:Andy Villamarzo•07/02/25•

Andy_Villamarzo

Syndication: Online Athens
Former Jefferson coach T McFerrin who won a state championship for the school is honored alongside his players form the Jefferson state championship team before a GHSA high school football game between Jefferson and Loganville in Jefferson, Ga., on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. Jefferson won 42-6. News Joshua L Jones

One of the Peach State’s most legendary high school football coaches, T. McFerrin, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 83, according to a social media post by the the Jefferson Dragons.

According to a report by the Gwinnett Daily Post, McFerrin had been dealing with an extended illness at the time of his passing.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Coach T. McFerrin. Georgia’s greatest high school football coach was about far more than just winning games. The life lessons he taught will live on through the thousands of people who had the privilege of knowing and learning from him. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with the McFerrin family. Once arrangements are finalized, we will share them with you.

“By the numbers: •341 wins •2 State Championships •5 schools to the semifinals •4 schools to the State Championship game •12 Region Championships •Thousands of lives changed’

McFerrin was the first Georgia high school football coach to lead four different programs to a state championship game. He had also coached in Tennessee, posting an overall mark of 24-17 between 1972-75.

During his 38-year tenure as a head coach between Georgia and Tennessee, McFerrin posted an overall record of 341-101-4, winning GHSA crowns in 1995 (Elbert County) and in the final year of his coaching career in 2012 with Jefferson. Per the Georgia High School Football History Association, McFerrin ranks in the top 10 in all-time wins in the state with 317 victories under his belt.

McFerrin’s success wasn’t just limited to the gridiron, either. McFerrin also was a state championship coach on the tennis courts as well, with the Georgia football legend having led Tucker High School to state titles in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

In all, McFerrin’s football coaching stops in Georgia included Elbert County, Forest Park, Jefferson, Lithonia, Peachtree, South Gwinnett, Southeast Whitfield and Tucker.

McFerrin was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014 and then later into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.