David Gentry 1 of 3 coaches headlining NFHS HOF Class Of 2026

When it comes to the respect of coaches in the state of North Carolina the past 50 years, David Gentry stands alone – certainly with regard to the sport of football. The respect comes partly from his amazing career in which he became the winningest football coach in state history, but equally due to the impact he had on the students he coached and the community in which he lived.

After graduating from Elon College (North Carolina), Gentry coached at Chatham High School for three years and then his alma mater, Edneyville High School, for nine years, but his coaching success exploded when he became head football coach at Murphy High School in 1983. Over the next 38 years, Gentry put the far western North Carolina city on the map with his successful football program at Murphy High School.

From 1983 until his retirement in 2021, Gentry compiled a 361-117-1 record at Murphy, a 75 percent winning percentage and led his teams to nine North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Class 1A State Football Championships. Including his first 12 years at the other two schools, Gentry finished his record-breaking career with a 426-195-3 record – the most wins in state history and among the top 15 all-time nationally.

Gentry won his first two NCHSAA state championships back-to-back in 1986 and 1987, followed by ones in 1991 and 1996. After 15 years without a title, Gentry returned to the winner’s circle in 2011, followed by championships in 2013, 2016, 2018 and in his final year in 2021.

Along the way, his teams won 18 conference championships, which led to an equal number of Conference Coach of the Year awards. He was selected North Carolina Coach of the Year by USA Today in 2013 and North Carolina Coach of the Year in 2007. He was named NFHS National Football Coach of the Year in 2013 and Western North Carolina Coach of the Year in 2018.

Gentry has been previously inducted into several halls of fame, including the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame (2025), the NCHSAA Hall of Fame (2023), Western North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame (2017) and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2019).

Other honors include the NCHSAA Commissioner’s Choice Award in 2019, and in 2013 he was named one of the Top 100 Coaches to Remember by the NCHSAA, and the Murphy High School Field was named after him.

“During his educational journey and career, David has touched many lives, especially in western North Carolina,” said Que Tucker, NCHSAA commissioner. “While honing his skills as a coach in the athletic arena, he was also a dedicated teacher and role model for his players and students. David Gentry is a jewel! Role models like him are not easily found today – anywhere! So, it is only fitting that he be recognized at the national level.”

“The tradition, the pride he carries with himself, and how he wants to win . . . is just something you want to be a part of. He’s super respected by not just everyone in Murphy but everybody in the state. Seeing him do what he does, it’s pretty special,” said Micah Nelson, a former player for Gentry at Murphy High School, in an article in the Asheville Citizen-Times.

###

About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 18 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,800 high schools and 12 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 8.2 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Bruce Howard, 317-972-6900

Director of Publications and Communications

National Federation of State High School Associations

[email protected]

Chris Boone, 317-972-6900

Assistant Director of Publications and Communications

National Federation of State High School Associations

[email protected]

Jordan Morey, 317-972-6900

Manager of Communications and Media Relations

National Federation of State High School Associations

[email protected]