farragutpress

Eddie Courtney Lane ‘Proclaimed’ at FHS

July 17, 2024 by Alan Sloan

The two lanes of traffic coming to and going from Farragut High School to North Campbell Station Road go by the FHS football fieldhouse and the program’s practice fields.

Most appropriate, perhaps, since those two lanes are now known as Eddie Courtney Lane, as decreed by Town of Farragut leaders during a ceremony at the school’s Outdoor Classroom (on the corner of the newly named Lane and North Campbell Station) Wednesday morning, July 10.

Town of Farragut Proclamation was read by Mayor Ron Williams on behalf of the entire Board of Mayor and Aldermen, honoring the recently retired FHS Admirals football head coach of 28 years who coached at the school 45 years total, building respect across the state for his winning success and his reputation for integrity on and off the field.

“Whereas Farragut High School football coach Eddie Courtney dedicated his professional life to encouraging and motivating young athletes for 45 seasons; and whereas coach Courtney led the Farragut Admirals to victory 204 times since being named head coach in 1996; and whereas Coach Courtney led the Farragut Admirals to its first-ever state championship in 2016, compiling a 14-1 record and defeating Independence High School in the Blue Cross Bowl.

“And whereas coach Courtney was named Prep Xtra Coach of the Year in 2016; whereas coach Courtney received a Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame and Summit Ignite Greatness Award in 2017; and whereas coach Courtney was inducted into the 2021 Class of Tennessee Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

“And whereas coach Courtney coached over 200 college signees: 47 All-state players, six Mr. Football Finalists and six NFL players; and whereas coach Courtney encouraged all players to excel in academics, be polite, show respect to everyone; and whereas the legacy of coach Courtney will continue at Farragut High School for years to come because of his positive influence of players and other coaches. ...,” the honor was bestowed.

State Rep. Jason Zachary (R-District 14) said the Tennessee General Assembly Resolution honoring Courtney “was voted on unanimously by the House of Representatives.”

The resolution recognitions also included that he “coached in 61 percent of all football games in Farragut High School history ... stating his 204 career victories “ranks him in the 96th percentile in terms of total wins by any coach in the state in the history of the state of Tennessee.”

Other honors recognized in this resolution included that “Farragut Mayor Ron Williams declared Friday, Jan. 28, as Eddie Courtney Day in honor of his 28 years as head coach. ...”

Drew Burnette, a standout player under Courtney who went on to be a kicker at Carson-Newman University, said he “had the distinct honor and privilege to play for coach Courtney about (25) years ago.

“… And so there’s been a lot of history that I’ve been able to experience with coach Courtney,” he added.

Also praising the late Ken Sparks (his coach at C-N who was head coach from 1977 thru 1979 at FHS), “Farragut High School has birthed two of the most tremendous coaches in the entire world: not in the county, not in the state, but anywhere on the face of the planet. I had the distinct privilege to play for both of these coaches …,” Burnette said.

“What it is, is these coaches — coach Courtney and coach Sparks — cared more about the players off the field than they did on the field (success-wise),” he added. “… The number of conversations I’ve had with coach Courtney of ‘how’s your family? How’s your faith? How you doing off the field?’

“Those are the things that translate into lifelong success in a job, being a husband, raising a family. ... It’s why I placed him in that tier with Ken Sparks of this world, for his integrity and the way he cares about kids.”

As for being surprised, “Wow, I thought I was coming down here to see Bud (McKelvey, Town Public Works director) about something,” Courtney said. “I had no idea.”

This honor “means the world to me because Farragut allowed me to be a part of this community, the school and Knox County Schools,” he added. “Whenever I’ve asked the Town for something, you’ve always stepped up to help me. I appreciate all that.”

Referring to the 2024 FHS football players lined up behind the ceremony podium, “It’s about these guys … I’ve had a chance to be a part of their life; been blessed to do that,” the honoree said. “… All you folks have been my friends, supporters and all that. I appreciate you so much. ... This is special because it’s people that you’re around all the time. … I’m very blessed.

“I’m a two-time cancer

survivor, still going,” he added. “God’s still got a reason

for me.”

Turning to his family, which includes new Admirals football skipper Geoff Courtney, Eddie’s son, “Thank you, Anita, for all those years, for allowing me to do something that I really wanted to do,” the honoree said to his devoted wife during his address. “I spent a lot of time away from her and my daughter, Megan.

“… I look around and see more and more people,” Courtney added. “All the coaches over here, and staff. I know you’re going to keep this thing going, doing it the right way.

“… Thank you very much, everybody, I appreciate it so much.”

“I’ve talked to men all over this state and all over the country that when you talk about Eddie Courtney, they talk about the impact that he’s made in our lives and even beyond just the area,” Dr John Bartlett, FHS principal, said.

“He is a legend; he’s more than just a coach, he’s a great gentleman,” said Donald Dodgen, the school’s athletic director. “He represents our school and our community so very well. We’re so proud of him.”

Susan Horn, Knox County Board of Education District

5 rep, said about Courtney, “The impact that he’s had on young men in the Farragut community over the years is immeasurable.”