South Carolina high school football coaching legend John McKissick died Thursday morning at age 93.
He holds the national record for most wins by a high school coach, having gone 621-155-13 in a 63-year tenure at Summerville High School. He won 10 state titles in 1955, 1956, 1969, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1998.
Coaches from around the state remembered the longtime fixture in the state.
"When Coach McKissick called and said come look at my running back- he's as good as I've ever coached- we got in the truck and took off," From former Coastal Carolina coach and current Lexington One Athletic Director David Bennett said. "Even drank a cup of black coffee with him in the afternoon- it was DeAngelo Henderson- we offered him without ever watching film on him. Can't count the number of coaches, players, students and people that have and will look up to Coach McKissick."
Reed Charpia, who coached at James Island, Irmo, Marlboro, Woodland and Marlboro County, played at Summerville for McKissick from 1957-61 and was an assistant for Green Wave from 1966-72.
Charpia spent time with McKissick a few weeks ago at a nursing home and plans to dedicate a good portion of his speech when he is inducted in SC Football Coaches Hall of Fame next month.
"From the time I was in seventh grade, I wanted to be like coach McKissick," Charpia said. "He did so much for the community of Summerville and football in state."
Charpia described McKissick as a players coach but disciplined. He remembered having to run 25 laps for missing a practice one time.
"He helped me and was big part of making into the coach I became," Charpia said. "There are so many stories and great memories I had from him over the years."
Chapin coach Justin Gentry: "Coach McKissick was a legend on so many levels. I had the opportunity to get to know Coach McKissick as we used to scrimmage them every year when I was in Lake City. He was first class all the way. He changed the landscape of football in South Carolina. Our sport and state will be forever grateful for what he did for all. His family will be in our hearts and prayers."
Hammond coach Erik Kimrey: "Wins and titles may be the first thing people think of when the name John McKissack is mentioned. However, his greater legacy is unquantifiable and will always be remembered in the state of South Carolina, the town of Summerville and in the hearts of all the players he coached for 63 years."
Born in Greenwood, McKissick was a Kingstree Senior High School graduate who attended Brevard College and later Presbyterian College, graduating in 1951. He started at Summerville a year later.
He coaches the likes of NFL star A.J. Green and former Gamecock Jamar Nesbit and NCAA All-American Kevin Long among a small army of future college and pro players.
He set the national wins with No. 406 in 1993, recording his 500th win in 2003 and 600 in 2012.
McKissick retired in 2014 and his grandson Joe Call took over the Green Wave program.
