Belfry head football coach Philip Haywood passes away at age 73

The state of Kentucky lost a high school football legend on Wednesday. Long-time Belfry head coach, and the state’s all-time winningest coach, Philip Haywood passed away at University of Kentucky hospital.

The death came four days after Haywood suffered serious injuries in a car accident.

You cannot discuss Kentucky high school football without mentioning Philip Haywood. The state’s all-time winningest coach roamed the sidelines for 50 seasons at Belfry logging a 491-62 career record with eight state titles and six runner-up finishes. That’s the most victories in this state’s rich history. Haywood began his coaching career in 1972 at Tates Creek High School and took the Belfry head coaching job in 1984. The Pirates won a state title in 2003, 2004, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021 under Haywood. Isaac Dixon won Mr. Football playing for Belfry in 2021. Belfry finished the 2024 season with an 11-3 record with the season ending in the state semifinal against Union County.

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops shared his condolences to Haywood’s friends and loved ones on Wednesday after the news broke.

“I just heard about the passing of longtime Belfry football coach Philip Haywood and my thoughts and prayers go out to all who knew him,” Stoops posted on X. “He was a legendary coach and a great man.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Philip Haywood’s friends, family, the Belfry community, and the Kentucky high school football community at large.