THE LATE 1900’s for Blue Ridge football were defined, largely, by one man: Jim Howard.
Howard was the football head coach and athletic director at Blue Ridge from 1981-97. In that timespan, he became the all-time winningest head coach in program history.
When Howard took over the Tigers in 1981, Blue Ridge had gone without a winning season for over 20 years.
“When I got here, they told me ‘we’ve never won, we don’t expect to win,’” Howard told WYFF-4’s Marc Whiteman. “They just wanted someone to come in and run a good, clean football program.”
Howard did that, but he didn’t agree to the terms of not expecting to win. In his tenure, Howard led the Tigers to nine winning seasons, seven playoff appearances, and the first two playoff wins in program history.
Howard built lifelong relationships, not just with the over 200 players he coached at Blue Ridge, but with teachers, fans, and so many community members. He quickly won (and kept) the adoration of those at Blue Ridge.
Howard was the head coach in 1986, when Blue Ridge unveiled a brand new school — and in turn, a brand new football facility. He was instrumental in those facilities, especially the new stadium, being developed. Howard coached over 60 games at that field.
No one brought more victories to “The Ridge” in that stadium than Howard.
Fitting, that 25 years after Howard resigned from Blue Ridge, the Tigers’ stadium was named in honor of the man who helped bring it to life.
Howard was there with family and friends as he became immortalized in BR history.
“I’m very humbled. It’s a great honor,” said Howard. “I consider it a tribute to the Blue Ridge community, and all of the coaches and players I had the opportunity to work with.”
19 days until high school football is back.
