John McKissick, the winningest coach in history, dies at 93

Yesterday, on Thanksgiving Day, legendary high school football coach John McKissick passed away at the age of 93 while in hospice care surrounded by his family.

McKissick played college football before being drafted to the U.S. Army. Then, in 1952, when he was 26, McKissick became head coach of Summerville High School in Summerville, S.C.

For 62 years, McKissick led Summerville High without missing a single game, and he became the winningest head coach in history with a 621-155-13 record. Along with his great winning record, McKissick won 10 state championships dating back to 1955.

On Oct. 26, 2012, McKissick won his 600th game against Ashley Ridge High School, where his players carried him off the field.

McKissick remains the winningest coach at any level of football. He was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame in 1990. McKissick has also won the High School Coach of the Year award three times, in 1980, 1994, and 2003, adding to his collection of accomplishments.