A memorable career
Former Farragut football coach leaves legacy
It was the spring 1980 in Stone’s junior year at Farragut High School, and Bland had just been hired to replace former coach Ken Sparks. Sparks, of course, would go on to achieve historic success at the college level with Carson-Newman University.
But Coach Bland — in the midst of a memorable career himself — was just getting started in west Knoxville. One film session was all Bland needed to familiarize himself with his new team.
“I remember when he first pulled us all together in the auditorium,” recalled Stone, then a running back for the Admirals. “He said, ‘I’ve been looking at some film. And y’all are soft.’”
“That got our attention,” Stone added. “He came in and called it right out.”
Mr. Bland swiftly changed that approach at Farragut, guiding the Admirals to a 53-24 record with two district titles and the first state semifinal appearance in school history. That seven-year stretch was just one stop in his memorable career, which spanned multiple states through four decades with a final record of 175-112.
Bland’s career — and life as a whole — have been remembered with fondness after his death at age 81 on Dec. 21 at his home in Jackson, Tennessee. In the days since Bland’s death, farragutpress has spoken with a few of his relatives, friends and former players. Together, those different accounts have woven a tapestry befitting a former FHS skipper whose legacy extends far beyond the numerous fields on which he coached.
Rooted in physicality
