"The Wonder Coaching Carousel"
Coaching is a profession of love.You can't coach people unless you love them. -Eddie Robinson
E.B. Gill, S.R. Elliot, Ray Dixon, John Dupree, P.V. Parks, Lester "Buck" McCarn, Harland "Tuck" Gudger, Ed Edmiston, Roy Boyles, Bill Watts, Will Campagna, Lope Linder, Bob Boswell, Bruce Hardin, Ron Massey, Mike Newsome and Justin Hardin, the seventeen head coaches in the history of Kannapolis football since 1924.
A head coach's position can be a glamorous title, especially when you're winning, but lose, and the entire world can turn on you in an instant. Now bump that pressure up a notch if you're the commander n chief in the town of Kannapolis where winning is not an option, but rather an expectation. Many of the coaches listed above have been on both sides of the coin, and I bet you could ask any of them and they would tell you the pressure cooker can sometimes be overwhelming.
Everyone is for you when you're winning, but when the latter begins to rear it's ugly head, the faithful can turn on you like Pitbulls from "Bad News Kennels" maybe it's not as glamorous as it seems, but one thing is for sure, it's never dull. The Wonders have been the beneficiaries of some great coaching talent over the last few decades, and with that dossier comes a boatload of pressure and expectation to produce. Obligation to progress the student athletes in their athletic and academic careers while keeping a rabid fan base content with it's share of titles and conference championships. It's a daunting task not designed for the faint of heart.
A head coach's position can be a glamorous title, especially when you're winning, but lose, and the entire world can turn on you in an instant. Now bump that pressure up a notch if you're the commander n chief in the town of Kannapolis where winning is not an option, but rather an expectation. Many of the coaches listed above have been on both sides of the coin, and I bet you could ask any of them and they would tell you the pressure cooker can sometimes be overwhelming.
Everyone is for you when you're winning, but when the latter begins to rear it's ugly head, the faithful can turn on you like Pitbulls from "Bad News Kennels" maybe it's not as glamorous as it seems, but one thing is for sure, it's never dull. The Wonders have been the beneficiaries of some great coaching talent over the last few decades, and with that dossier comes a boatload of pressure and expectation to produce. Obligation to progress the student athletes in their athletic and academic careers while keeping a rabid fan base content with it's share of titles and conference championships. It's a daunting task not designed for the faint of heart.
Kannapolis Football
Head Coach's Cumulative Records
Ray Dixon:
1930-1932 Classification: 3A Record: 22-5-2 Total Games:29 PCT: 81.5% PF: 441 PA: 79 Shutouts: 19 Playoff Games: 2 Playoff Record: 1-1 Championships : None |
Buck McCarn:
1933, 1938-1941, 1946-1948 Classification: 3A Record: 37-36-2 Total Games:75 PCT: 77-1% PF: 863 PA: 865 Shutouts: 24 Playoff Games: N/A Playoff Record: N/A Championships: None |
John Dupree:
1934-1937 Classification: 3A Record: 16-17-5 Total Games:38 PCT: 48.5% PF: 428 PA: 288 Shutouts: 14 Playoff Games: N/A Playoff Record: N/A Championships: None |
P.V. Parks:
1942-1945 Classification: 3A Record: 19-18-1 Total Games:38 PCT: 51.4% PF: 557 PA: 447 Shutouts: 6 Playoff Games: N/A Playoff Record: N/A Championships: None |
Harland “Tuck” Gudger:
1949-1952 Classification: 3A Record: 21-18-1 Total Games:40 PCT: 53.8% PF: 533 PA: 419 Shutouts: 10 Playoff Games: N/A Playoff Record: N/A Championships: (1) SPC 3A |
Ed Edmiston:
1953-1963 Classification: 3A Record: 64-32-13 Total Games:109 PCT: 66.7% PF: 1,765 PA: 1,091 Shutouts: 29 Playoff Games: 3 Playoff Record: 1-1-1 Championships: (1) SPC 3A (1) WNCHSAA 3A Co Championship |
Roy Boyles:
1964-1967 Classification: 3A Record: 24-16 Total Games:40 PCT: 60.0% PF: 576 PA: 530 Shutouts: 7 Playoff Games: N/A Playoff Record: N/A Championships: None |
Bill Watts:
1968-1970 Classification: 3A Record: 15-13-2 Total Games:30 PCT: 53.6% PF: 435 PA: 478 Shutouts: 2 Playoff Games: N/A Playoff Record: N/A Championships: None |
Will Campagna:
1971-1973 Classification: 3A Record: 19-10-2 Total Games:31 PCT: 65.5% PF: 615 PA: 324 Shutouts: 11 Playoff Games: 1 Playoff Record: 0-1 Championships: (1) |
Lope Linder:
1974-1975 Classification: 3A Record: 11-8-1 Total Games:20 PCT: 57.9% PF: 309 PA: 245 Shutouts: 3 Playoff Games: N/A Playoff Record: N/A Championships: None |
Bob Boswell:
1976-1988 Classification: 3A/4A Record: 102-37-1 Total Games:140 PCT: 73.4% PS: 3,001 PA: 1,282 Shutouts: 48 Playoff Games: 11 Playoff Record: 4-7 Championships: (4) CPC 4A (2) SPC 3A (1) State 3A Runner Up (1) 3A Western Regional (1) 3A District (1) 3A Sectional |
Bruce Hardin:
1989-1999 Classification: 3A Record: 121-24 Total Games:145 PCT: 83.4% PF: 4,452 PA: 1,640 Shutouts: 38 Playoff Games: 31 Playoff Record: 23-8 Championships: (8) SPC 3A (2) State 3A Championships (1) State 3A Runner Up (3) 3A Western Regional (5) 3A District (3) 3A Sectional |
Ron Massey:
2000-2010 Classification: 3A Record: 120-32 Total Games:152 PCT: 78.9% PF: 4,593 PA: 2,507 Shutouts: 14 Playoff Games: 31 Playoff Record: 20-11 Championships: (5) SPC 3A (4) NPC 3A (1) State 3A Runner Up (1) 3A Western Regional (6) 3A District (2) 3A Sectional |
Mike Newsome:
2011-2022 Classification: 3A/4A Record: 95-49 Total Games: 144 PCT: 66.2% PF: 4,804 PA: 3,064 Shutouts: 19 Playoff Games: 19 Playoff Record: 8-11 Championships: (2) SPC 3A (2) 3A District |
Justin Hardin
2023 Classification: 4A Record: 5-6 Total Games: 11 PCT: 45.5% PF: 329 PA: 267 Shutouts: Playoff Games: 1 Playoff Record: 0-1 Championships: |
Kannapolis Football
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E.B. Gill
1924-1925
(Record Unconfirmed)
Head coach E.B. Gill holds the distinction being the first ever head coach in Kannapolis Football history. Gill became head coach of the Towelers of Central High School in their inaugural year of 1924. Though not much can be confirmed about this first inaugural season in K-Town, it is suggested that the 1924 team lost all of it's games, including at 20-0 first ever meeting between the team from Kannapolis and the Concord Spiders at Gibson Park in Concord. Gill would coach the team until early in the 1925 season when football was suspended at Central High School due to academic ineligibility issues among the players at Central High. Gill would would step down after 1925. When football was reinstated in 1929 the reigns of the program would be handed over to Mr S.R. Elliot.
S.R. Elliot
1929
(Record Unconfirmed)
S.R. Elliot would take over head coaching duties for the Central High football team in 1929. The team now labeled "The Little Wonders" would be the last team for Central High as it would be renamed the following year in 1930 to J.W. Cannon High School. Coach Elliot's record is unconfirmed as no information on the team's record has been located. The first three years of the program's success and failures have been hard to come by.
Ray Dixon
1924-1932
25-2-2
Coach Ray Dixon holds the distinguished place in Kannapolis football history as the first ever head football coach at J.W. Cannon High School in Kannapolis. In 1930 Central High School would be renamed J.W. Cannon high school and coach Dixon turn in the most impressive performance as his Little Wonders would turn in an almost perfect 8-1 season. The 1930 team would not even be scored upon until the final game of the 1930 season in a 7-6 loss to China Grove. Coach Dixon would step down as the head football coach at the conclusion of the 1932, season finishing his coaching tenure winning 81.5% of his games from 1930-1932. Coach Dixon would be replaced by head coach Lester McCarn the following year.
Lester "Buck" McCarn
1933, 1938-1941, 1946-1948
37-11-17
Coach Lester "Buck" McCarn took over coaching responsibilities at J.W. Cannon in 1933. McCarn would coach the Little Wonders for eight years off and on with breaks coming between 1934-1937 and then again from 1942-1945. During those eight seasons as head coach, McCarn would record a 37-11-17 record winning 77.1% of his games. Coach McCarn would be succeeded finally in 1949 by coach John Dupree.
John Dupree
1934-1937
16-17-5
John Dupree followed Lester McCarn in 1934 coaching 4 straight seasons for the Little Wonders. Dupree would record a 16-17-5 record over those four years making him the only Kannapolis head coach to have s subpar record during his tenure. Dupree would finish his career winning 48.5% of his games. Dupree would be succeeded by coach Lester "Buck" McCarn at the conclusion of the 1937 season in 1938.
P.V. Parks
1942-1945
19-18-1
Coach P.V. Parks would become J.W. Cannon's 4th head coach after twelve years succeeding Lester "Buck" McCarn in 1942. Parks coached for four years from 1942-1945 finishing with an overall 19-18-1 record following the 1945 season. Parks would step down after winning 51.4% of his games turning the reigns back over to Lester "Buck" McCarn for his final stint as the Little Wonders head coach in 1946.
Harland "Tuck" Gudger
1949-1952
21-18-1
Harland "Tuck" Gudger began his coaching at J.W. Cannon High School in 1949. Coach Gudger would coach the final two seasons of J.W. Cannon Little Wonder football from 1949-1951. Gudger would become the very first head coach at the newly opened A.L. Brown High School when it opened in 1952 along with assistant coach Ed Edmiston. Coach Gudger coached only one year at A.L. Brown High School where in his first season he made history by securing the new school's first ever undefeated season at a perfect 10-0 for the 1952 grid season. Coach Gudger's lone A.L. Brown Wonder team scored 217 pts after 10 Games giving up 52 points. Coach Gudger finished his coaching stint winning 53.8% of his games. Coach Gudger would step down as head coach after A.L. Brown's inaugural year and would be succeeded by Coach Ed Edmiston.
Ed Edmiston
1953-1963
64-32-13
Coach Ed Edmiston began his coaching career at A.L. Brown in 1952 under former head coach Harland "Tuck" Gudger. After Coach Gudger stepped down at the end of the 1952 season, Coach Edmiston stepped into his spot and held the title until 1963. During Coach Edmistons's ten year stint, he guided the Wonders to their first state Co Championship in 1960 after battling the Hickory Red Tornados to a 0-0 deadlock. Coach edmiston coached in 105 games and finished his career after the 1963 season with a win/loss record of 64-32-13. In coach Edmiston's ten season at A.L. Brown his teams put up 1708 points after 105 games giving up 1026 points. Coach Edmiston would be succeeded by Coach Roy Boyles in 1964.
Roy Boyles
1964-1967
24-16
Coach Roy Boyles came to Kannapolis as head coach in 1964, after coaching at Mooresville High School and Rockingham High School. Coach Boyles would serve as the Wonder mentor from 1964 until he stepped down after the 1967 football season. Boyles would go a combined 24-16 after four season at A.L. Brown. During coach Boyles's four years at the helm his teams put up 576 points after 40 games giving up 530 points. Coach Boyles would be replaced in 1968 by Bill "Yogi" Watts.
Bill Watts
1968-1970
15-13-2
Coach Bill Watts served as the head coach of the A.L. Brown Wonders from 1968-1970. Watts worked for several years as an assistant under coach Roy Boyles and took over the helm after Boyles's departure in 1968. During Coach Watts stint, he would go a combined 15-13-2 after his three seasons. Bill Watts coached three season putting up 435 points after 30 games giving up 478 points. Watts stepped down after the 1970 season to work as an assistant under new head coach Wilbert Vincent Campagna.
Wilbert Vincent Campagna
1971-1973
19-10-2
Born June 27, 1932, in Lilly, Pa., Wilbert Vincent Campagna was the son of the late Carlo Amerigo and Mary Grace Courvina Campagna. Will was a three-sport standout in high school, attended St. Francis College, served in the US Army during the Korean War and graduated from Catawba College in 1958. He received his master’s degree in P.E and Administration in 1963 from Appalachian State and began his long and distinguished career as a high school coach and athletic director.
Campagna came to Kannapolis in 1971 and took over the Wonders as head coach from 1971 to 1973. Known to most of his players as the "Fiery little Italian" Campagna was a motivator who believed in hard work and commitment. During Coach Campagna's three years at A.L. Brown he took the Little Wonders to their first playoff appearance since 1960 in 1971, and is credited with helping end the Little Wonders ten year losing streak to Concord. Coach Campagna went a combined 19-10-2 in his three seasons at A.L. Brown. During coach Campagna's three seasons, his teams put up 614 points after 31 games giving up 337 points. Although he coached and taught at five different high schools, Coach Campagna was associated with North Mecklenburg High School for 18 of his 36 years of coaching, including 17 seasons as head football coach. He led the Vikings to four football conference championships and a trip to the state playoffs western final in 1992. He also was athletic director at North Meck, coaching baseball and golf. Combining his stints at Charlotte Catholic and North Meck, he never had a losing season in his 14 years of coaching baseball. Coach Campagna died on February 4, 2011. He was 78 years old.
Campagna came to Kannapolis in 1971 and took over the Wonders as head coach from 1971 to 1973. Known to most of his players as the "Fiery little Italian" Campagna was a motivator who believed in hard work and commitment. During Coach Campagna's three years at A.L. Brown he took the Little Wonders to their first playoff appearance since 1960 in 1971, and is credited with helping end the Little Wonders ten year losing streak to Concord. Coach Campagna went a combined 19-10-2 in his three seasons at A.L. Brown. During coach Campagna's three seasons, his teams put up 614 points after 31 games giving up 337 points. Although he coached and taught at five different high schools, Coach Campagna was associated with North Mecklenburg High School for 18 of his 36 years of coaching, including 17 seasons as head football coach. He led the Vikings to four football conference championships and a trip to the state playoffs western final in 1992. He also was athletic director at North Meck, coaching baseball and golf. Combining his stints at Charlotte Catholic and North Meck, he never had a losing season in his 14 years of coaching baseball. Coach Campagna died on February 4, 2011. He was 78 years old.
Robert "Lope" Linder
1974-1975
11-8-1
Coach Robert "Lope" Linder became the first head coach at South Rowan High School when it officially opened its doors in 1961. Linder was an outstanding athlete at Boyden High School (AKA) Salisbury High School, attended Catawba College where he earned six letters in football and baseball, started on both offense and defense for three seasons in football. In 1959 he was voted Rowan County Coach of the Year in football. He was a member of the East/West All-Star game coaching staff. Linder had a distinguished 36-year career as a teacher, and coach.
Coach Linder served in the U.S. Army and defended our nation in World War II. Linder was a 1994 Inductee into Catawba College Sports Hall of Fame. Linder is a 2005 inductee to the Salisbury/Rowan Sports Hall of Fame and recipient of the Horace Billings Lifetime Achievement Award. Linder also served as the head football coach for Rockwell High School, China Grove High School, and A.L. Brown High in Kannapolis and was an American Legion Baseball coach. Coach Linder took over as head football after Will Campagna stepped down after the 1973 season. Coach Linder coached the Little Wonders to a 7-2-1 season in 1974 before going 4-6 in 1975. During coach Linder's two seasons, his teams put up 309 points after twenty games giving up 245 points. Coach Linder was an overall 11-8-1 during his tenure at A.L. Brown. Coach Linder died on November 20, 2002. He was 75 years old.
Coach Linder served in the U.S. Army and defended our nation in World War II. Linder was a 1994 Inductee into Catawba College Sports Hall of Fame. Linder is a 2005 inductee to the Salisbury/Rowan Sports Hall of Fame and recipient of the Horace Billings Lifetime Achievement Award. Linder also served as the head football coach for Rockwell High School, China Grove High School, and A.L. Brown High in Kannapolis and was an American Legion Baseball coach. Coach Linder took over as head football after Will Campagna stepped down after the 1973 season. Coach Linder coached the Little Wonders to a 7-2-1 season in 1974 before going 4-6 in 1975. During coach Linder's two seasons, his teams put up 309 points after twenty games giving up 245 points. Coach Linder was an overall 11-8-1 during his tenure at A.L. Brown. Coach Linder died on November 20, 2002. He was 75 years old.
Robert "Bob" Boswell
1976-1988
102-37-1
A graduate of Walter Williams High School in Burlington, and Elon College, Coach Boswell began his coaching career as a Graham High assistant from 1960-65. He was 16-6-1 from 1966-67 as Graham's head coach. As the head football coach at High Point Andrews from 1968-73, his record was 46-7-2, including a 4A state championship in 1972. Boswell was hired by N.C. State coach Lou Holtz and was an assistant there from 1974-76. He came to A.L. Brown as the AD and head coach in 1976. He brought weight training and stability.
Boswell's first two teams were 2-8 and 3-7, but a 7-3 season in 1978 began the Wonders' current run of 36 consecutive winning seasons. Boswell's 1980 team with future NFL standouts Ethan Horton and Lance Smith was ranked 19th nationally, and his 1982 team was ranked as high as 13th in the nation. His 1984 team was state runner-up. Boswell finished his tenure at Brown in 1988 with a record of 102-37-1 and six conference championships. During coach Boswell's thirteen seasons at A.L. Brown, his teams put up 2995 points after 150 games giving up 1477 points. Brown won 4A league titles in 1979 and 1980. Boswell continued his successful career in Rock Hill, S.C. Boswell also holds the dubious distinction as being the man who had the "Little" taken away from in front of the “Little Wonders“ as they were called throughout the early seventies. Boswell stated that term little was giving the wrong image of his program. Boswell would step down as head football coach prior to the 1989 season when the reigns were turned over to the very capable Bruce Hardin.
Boswell's first two teams were 2-8 and 3-7, but a 7-3 season in 1978 began the Wonders' current run of 36 consecutive winning seasons. Boswell's 1980 team with future NFL standouts Ethan Horton and Lance Smith was ranked 19th nationally, and his 1982 team was ranked as high as 13th in the nation. His 1984 team was state runner-up. Boswell finished his tenure at Brown in 1988 with a record of 102-37-1 and six conference championships. During coach Boswell's thirteen seasons at A.L. Brown, his teams put up 2995 points after 150 games giving up 1477 points. Brown won 4A league titles in 1979 and 1980. Boswell continued his successful career in Rock Hill, S.C. Boswell also holds the dubious distinction as being the man who had the "Little" taken away from in front of the “Little Wonders“ as they were called throughout the early seventies. Boswell stated that term little was giving the wrong image of his program. Boswell would step down as head football coach prior to the 1989 season when the reigns were turned over to the very capable Bruce Hardin.
Bruce G Hardin
1989-1999
122-24
A graduate of Chase High School Bruce Hardin was raised in Forest City North Carolina, and played fullback at Appalachain State from 1962-'65. Bruce has had a very distinguished career over the years including 27 years of Head Coaching experience with an Overall Record of 287-94. His teams have won 2 State Championships, (3) State Runner-ups, (2) State Playoff Appearances, and (17) Conference Championships. Hardin has been Head Football Coach at Marvin Ridge, Providence, A.L. Brown, West Charlotte, and Harding High Schools. In addition Coach Hardin has served as an Assistant Coach at The United States Military Academy and The Citadel. Hardin earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Appalachian State University, and his M.Ed. from the University of North Carolina. Throughout his career he has also served as Athletic Director and faculty member in the Department of Physical Education. He has been selected as Coach of the Year by Union County (2007) and NCHSAA (1997). NCHSAA also honored him as Athletic Director of the Year in 1999.
Coach Hardin is considered to be the most successful coach the Wonders have ever had. He was 122-24 during his 11 year tenure. His teams won 2 State Championships in '89, and '97, and was runner-up in 1991. During coach Hardin's eleven seasons, his teams put up 4508 points after 146 games, giving up 1729 points. Under Hardins rule the Wonders had 10 playoff appearances in 11 years, and won 11 games 7 times. The Wonders were 40-3 from 1997-1999. Hardin has two sons(Justin & Blair) who had also played at Kannapolis. Justin was 25-2 as starting QB for Brown in '98 &'99. Bruce was Head Football Coach for the NC Shrine Bowl in 1996, and an Assistant Coach in 1990. Hardin left Kannapolis on Wednesday February 16, 2000 and followed his two sons to the Citadel where he became an assistant coach.
Coach Hardin is considered to be the most successful coach the Wonders have ever had. He was 122-24 during his 11 year tenure. His teams won 2 State Championships in '89, and '97, and was runner-up in 1991. During coach Hardin's eleven seasons, his teams put up 4508 points after 146 games, giving up 1729 points. Under Hardins rule the Wonders had 10 playoff appearances in 11 years, and won 11 games 7 times. The Wonders were 40-3 from 1997-1999. Hardin has two sons(Justin & Blair) who had also played at Kannapolis. Justin was 25-2 as starting QB for Brown in '98 &'99. Bruce was Head Football Coach for the NC Shrine Bowl in 1996, and an Assistant Coach in 1990. Hardin left Kannapolis on Wednesday February 16, 2000 and followed his two sons to the Citadel where he became an assistant coach.
Ron Massey
2000-2010
120-32
Coach Ron Massey came to Kannapolis in 2000 from Kings Mountain after bringing notable prominence to the Mountaineer football program. Massey took over the Wonder football program from Bruce Hardin, who likewise followed in Bob Boswell’s big shoes. Each of them held the high-profile role for at least 11 years. Massey went 120-32(78.9 win percentage) in his 11 seasons as Wonders’ boss. During those eleven seaons, coach Massey's teams put up 4542 points after 151 games giving up 2532 points. There was a state runner-up finish in 2008 and league championships or co-championships in nine of the 11 years. He also coached Kings Mountain to a state runner-up finish, was a shrine bowl assistant coach in 2001 and was selected as a recipient of the Homer Thompson Sportsmanship Award from the NCHSAA in 2007.
Coach Massey was known to be a very private man, and a man of few words so In typical Ron Massey fashion, he was reluctant even to comment on his retirement.“Someone else needs to move in,” he said. “I don’t want to see an issue made of it. I just felt like the fire isn’t there like it should be. It wouldn’t be fair to the kids or the coaches or the school for me not to continue to give it the type of effort it deserves.” After leaving Kannapolis Coach Massey retired for a few months before taking the head coaching position at Piedmont High School in Union County. While still residing in Kannapolis, Coach Massey took the Panther football program and turned it into a very respectable winning program during his three and a half years heading the Panther charges. Sadly, Coach Massey's life would be cut short when he passed away very unexpectedly of a heart attack on October 11, 2014. Coach Massey was only 56 years old at the time of his death.
Coach Massey was known to be a very private man, and a man of few words so In typical Ron Massey fashion, he was reluctant even to comment on his retirement.“Someone else needs to move in,” he said. “I don’t want to see an issue made of it. I just felt like the fire isn’t there like it should be. It wouldn’t be fair to the kids or the coaches or the school for me not to continue to give it the type of effort it deserves.” After leaving Kannapolis Coach Massey retired for a few months before taking the head coaching position at Piedmont High School in Union County. While still residing in Kannapolis, Coach Massey took the Panther football program and turned it into a very respectable winning program during his three and a half years heading the Panther charges. Sadly, Coach Massey's life would be cut short when he passed away very unexpectedly of a heart attack on October 11, 2014. Coach Massey was only 56 years old at the time of his death.
Ron Massey Steps Down as Head Coach
KANNAPOLIS — Ron Massey announced his retirement as A.L. Brown’s head football coach and athletics director on Friday, but his working days aren’t quite over.While most of the world ate lunch on Monday, Massey was tackling a spring cleaning session in the basement storage rooms of Bullock Gym with considerable gusto Massey, 53, plans to stay on as AD through the end of the school year, and while he’s put in 30 years with North Carolina’s school system (qualifying for full retirement benefits), he’s also still young enough that his coaching career may resume elsewhere. Whispers that Massey would be stepping down or moving on after 11 seasons at the helm of one of the state’s storied programs have circulated for months. He said he recently finalized his decision.
“When you get to this point, you’re on a year-to-year basis,” he said. “When we started working on evaluations of things we might want to change for next year and when we met as a staff to get started on our summer program, it just didn’t feel right. My heart was not in it the way it needed to be, not the way this program needed for it to be.”
Massey called Friday’s meeting because he didn’t want the players hearing about the change in their lives by word of mouth at Pizza Hut or What-A-Burger.There was no press conference. There were no cameras flashing and no bands playing when Massey bid farewell to the troops, and that was consistent with his track record. He was private and low-key for a football coach, never overly comfortable in the glare of publicity, even when it was favorable He was one of the greatest in history at pointing a finger at himself after a painful loss and pointing a finger at his assistants and players after a stirring victory.The dynamic individuals who preceded Massey at A.L. Brown — Bob Boswell, a defensive genius who got the program rolling, and Bruce Hardin, an offensive genius who directed two 3A championships, are members of halls of fame. Massey may receive that accolade down the road. As far as wins and losses, Massey’s 120-32 record at Brown fell neatly in between Hardin’s 121-24 in 11 seasons and Boswell’s 102-38-1 in 13.The biggest check-mark for Massey isn’t that his teams won their share. It’s that it’s hard to find a rival coach or ex-player who has anything negative to say about him.
“He’s run a great program,” said Todd Hagler, the Brown assistant coach responsible for the offensive line and strength and conditioning. “He’s done it the right way, treated kids fair and with dignity. He’s taught me a lot about integrity. Not everyone likes to hear the truth, but Ron told the truth.”
Defensive coordinator Noah Lyon, who came to Brown from Richmond County in 2002, said Massey’s record is underappreciated. Brown’s worst season during his tenure was 9-4, and the Wonders never lost a first-round playoff game under Massey.
“Go back and look — there’s no 6-5s and no 7-4s in there,” Lyon said. “And Ron’s teams were conference champs all but two seasons.”
Brown has won so frequently for so long (the last losing season was in 1977) that there’s a belief the Wonders are blessed annually with superior athletes. That perception is mostly myth. It would be hard to name a Brown mega-star between Aundrae Allison, whose last season was 2001, and Travis Riley, who
finished an injury-plagued career last fall.
“A lot of people think we just throw ’em out there,” Lyon said. “Believe me, there’s two or three times a year, when we’re the ones with a matchup problem. But this is still a blue-collar community, and as far as work ethic, I’d put our kids up there with anyone. Our kids outwork people, and we try to out-coach ’em.”
Massey would never admit to out-coaching anyone, but there are times when he did — or his staff did.Hagler and the weight room where the clanging of metal and the growing of
muscle never stops, also contributed to Massey’s success.
“Building football players is a process,” Hagler explained. “Our freshmen don’t look any different than anyone else’s, but when they’re juniors and seniors, we do expect them to look a little different.”
Hagler’s son, Trace, is a freshman linebacker, so Massey’s retirement decision affected him on both a professional and personal level.
“I was looking forward to my own son getting to play for Ron, and I guess that’s the ultimate compliment one coach can give another,” Hagler said. “I think this program is what high school sports is supposed to be about, and Ron’s been a very large part of that.”
Massey held two full-time jobs for 11 years. Head football coach, with all the scrutiny and criticism that comes with that role in Kannapolis, is a load. Serving as athletics director, trying to do what’s right for a laundry list of other sports, is equally challenging.
Massey said he’s been able to deal with the workload — he’s also handled driver’s ed — mostly because of Lyon, the assistant AD, and Susan Crites, the athletic secretary.
“Sure, it’s been a lot, but I’ve had some great support from them and the adminstration,” Massey said.
Massey won’t miss the headache of scheduling, but he will miss his relationships with players and coaches. Obviously, he’ll miss Friday nights at Memorial Stadium.He looks back on his 120 wins at Brown, including a trip to the state championship game in 2008, with a degree of satisfaction, although a lot of
people wanted even more.
“I sat down as a young coach and laid out goals, and for the most part, I accomplished them,” he said. “Everyone wanted us to win state championships, and no one wanted that more than me. But as a coach, you just want to make sure you put a competitive team on the field every year. We did that.
“Beyond the field, I think the kids that played here will look back on football as a positive experience and football will help lay the groundwork for what they’ll face in life.”
The search has started for an individual, or perhaps individuals, to replace a good man who was part of something special for more than a decade.
“The administration will find someone great,” Massey said. “I have no doubt.” (The Salisbury Post)
“When you get to this point, you’re on a year-to-year basis,” he said. “When we started working on evaluations of things we might want to change for next year and when we met as a staff to get started on our summer program, it just didn’t feel right. My heart was not in it the way it needed to be, not the way this program needed for it to be.”
Massey called Friday’s meeting because he didn’t want the players hearing about the change in their lives by word of mouth at Pizza Hut or What-A-Burger.There was no press conference. There were no cameras flashing and no bands playing when Massey bid farewell to the troops, and that was consistent with his track record. He was private and low-key for a football coach, never overly comfortable in the glare of publicity, even when it was favorable He was one of the greatest in history at pointing a finger at himself after a painful loss and pointing a finger at his assistants and players after a stirring victory.The dynamic individuals who preceded Massey at A.L. Brown — Bob Boswell, a defensive genius who got the program rolling, and Bruce Hardin, an offensive genius who directed two 3A championships, are members of halls of fame. Massey may receive that accolade down the road. As far as wins and losses, Massey’s 120-32 record at Brown fell neatly in between Hardin’s 121-24 in 11 seasons and Boswell’s 102-38-1 in 13.The biggest check-mark for Massey isn’t that his teams won their share. It’s that it’s hard to find a rival coach or ex-player who has anything negative to say about him.
“He’s run a great program,” said Todd Hagler, the Brown assistant coach responsible for the offensive line and strength and conditioning. “He’s done it the right way, treated kids fair and with dignity. He’s taught me a lot about integrity. Not everyone likes to hear the truth, but Ron told the truth.”
Defensive coordinator Noah Lyon, who came to Brown from Richmond County in 2002, said Massey’s record is underappreciated. Brown’s worst season during his tenure was 9-4, and the Wonders never lost a first-round playoff game under Massey.
“Go back and look — there’s no 6-5s and no 7-4s in there,” Lyon said. “And Ron’s teams were conference champs all but two seasons.”
Brown has won so frequently for so long (the last losing season was in 1977) that there’s a belief the Wonders are blessed annually with superior athletes. That perception is mostly myth. It would be hard to name a Brown mega-star between Aundrae Allison, whose last season was 2001, and Travis Riley, who
finished an injury-plagued career last fall.
“A lot of people think we just throw ’em out there,” Lyon said. “Believe me, there’s two or three times a year, when we’re the ones with a matchup problem. But this is still a blue-collar community, and as far as work ethic, I’d put our kids up there with anyone. Our kids outwork people, and we try to out-coach ’em.”
Massey would never admit to out-coaching anyone, but there are times when he did — or his staff did.Hagler and the weight room where the clanging of metal and the growing of
muscle never stops, also contributed to Massey’s success.
“Building football players is a process,” Hagler explained. “Our freshmen don’t look any different than anyone else’s, but when they’re juniors and seniors, we do expect them to look a little different.”
Hagler’s son, Trace, is a freshman linebacker, so Massey’s retirement decision affected him on both a professional and personal level.
“I was looking forward to my own son getting to play for Ron, and I guess that’s the ultimate compliment one coach can give another,” Hagler said. “I think this program is what high school sports is supposed to be about, and Ron’s been a very large part of that.”
Massey held two full-time jobs for 11 years. Head football coach, with all the scrutiny and criticism that comes with that role in Kannapolis, is a load. Serving as athletics director, trying to do what’s right for a laundry list of other sports, is equally challenging.
Massey said he’s been able to deal with the workload — he’s also handled driver’s ed — mostly because of Lyon, the assistant AD, and Susan Crites, the athletic secretary.
“Sure, it’s been a lot, but I’ve had some great support from them and the adminstration,” Massey said.
Massey won’t miss the headache of scheduling, but he will miss his relationships with players and coaches. Obviously, he’ll miss Friday nights at Memorial Stadium.He looks back on his 120 wins at Brown, including a trip to the state championship game in 2008, with a degree of satisfaction, although a lot of
people wanted even more.
“I sat down as a young coach and laid out goals, and for the most part, I accomplished them,” he said. “Everyone wanted us to win state championships, and no one wanted that more than me. But as a coach, you just want to make sure you put a competitive team on the field every year. We did that.
“Beyond the field, I think the kids that played here will look back on football as a positive experience and football will help lay the groundwork for what they’ll face in life.”
The search has started for an individual, or perhaps individuals, to replace a good man who was part of something special for more than a decade.
“The administration will find someone great,” Massey said. “I have no doubt.” (The Salisbury Post)
"In Memory of Coach Ron Massey"
Mike Newsome
2011 - 2022
95-48
“It was an extremely tough decision. My wife and I sat down and we discussed the pros and cons. In the end I think this is the best decision for me. The opportunity to move to a school with such a huge football tradition doesn’t come around very often." (Mike Newsome: on accepting head coaches position.) During Newsome’s eight-year stint at Butler, he shifted the balance of football power in Mecklenburg County to the Bulldogs, as Butler captured the last two 4AA state titles after Independence won seven consecutive titles from 2000-2006. Newsome, 40, leaves Butler on a 31-game wining streak and was 93-17 overall. Newsome brings with him a resume filled with success and accolades. At Butler he’s compiled a 93-17 record in just eight years as head coach and his teams have won back-to-back 4-AA championships.
He was a MaxPreps National High School Football Coach of the Year in 2010, and has already served as an assistant coach for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Prior to being the head coach at Butler, he served as the defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs from the schools’ opening in 1997 through the 2002 season. His first teaching and coaching position was at Anson County High School in 1995. Newsome, a native of Panama City, Fla, attended Mars Hill College where he was an all-conference linebacker. He majored in biology and graduated in 1994. He was preparing for medical school when he began his coaching career.
On March 2nd of 2023, Coach Newsome announced his retirement from coaching, leaving Kannapolis Football with an overall 95-49 record over his twelve season career. Coach Newsome's teams have put up 4,800 points after 144 games while giving up 3,064 points.
He was a MaxPreps National High School Football Coach of the Year in 2010, and has already served as an assistant coach for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Prior to being the head coach at Butler, he served as the defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs from the schools’ opening in 1997 through the 2002 season. His first teaching and coaching position was at Anson County High School in 1995. Newsome, a native of Panama City, Fla, attended Mars Hill College where he was an all-conference linebacker. He majored in biology and graduated in 1994. He was preparing for medical school when he began his coaching career.
On March 2nd of 2023, Coach Newsome announced his retirement from coaching, leaving Kannapolis Football with an overall 95-49 record over his twelve season career. Coach Newsome's teams have put up 4,800 points after 144 games while giving up 3,064 points.
Coach Newsome Steps Down after 12 Seasons
03-02-23- In an open letter to school administration, 12th year head coach Mike Newsome announced his retirement from A.L. Brown High School as Head Football Coach. Coach Newsome, who became Kannapolis Football's 16th head coach in 2011, came to Kannapolis from Butler High School replacing former Wonder Football Head Coach (The Late) Ron Massey. Coach Newsome addressed school administration, coaching assistants and current players before making the statement public this morning.
Coach Newsome will conclude his twelve year tenure as the 2nd longest active Head Coach in Kannapolis Football history since 1924, one season shy of knotting (The Late) Robert "Bob" Boswell's 13 seasons. Coach Newsome concludes his coaching career at A.L. Brown with an overall 95-49 record, having won 66% of his contests. Since Coach Newsome's arrival in 2011, the Wonders have scrimmaged six seasons in the 4A Classification and six seasons in the 3A Classification. Coach Newsome led Wonder teams won two South Piedmont 3A Conference titles in both 2011 and 2020, with the last one coming in the abbreviated 2020 Covid makeup season in the late winter of 2021.
Coach Newsome has taken the Wonders to the post regular season playoffs in eleven of his twelve seasons, missing the post regular season just once in 2019, winning two District 3A Championships. Coach Newsome was an overall 8-11 in post regular season playoff football, and took the Wonders as far as the third round in two of those eleven appearances. Coach Newsome led Wonder teams put up a total of 4800 offensive points, allowing 3064 over 144 games he coached.
Coach Newsome concludes his coaching career with an overall record of 9-3 versus arch rival Concord, and currently holds the longest active win streak of eight consecutive wins over the Spiders, the longest of any head coach at A.L. Brown High since 1924. Coach Newsome led Wonder teams have defeated Concord by a combined 355-210 over those twelve contests. Upon his retirement, Head Coach Mike Newsome was just five wins away from recording his 100th career win at A.L. Brown, which would have made him the 4th Wonder Head Coach to achieve the milestone along with (The Late) Bob Boswell, Bruce Hardin, and (The Late) Ron Massey. It should be noted that under twelve year head coach Mike Newsome, Kannapolis Football has yet to record a losing season since 1977. This is a fantastic accomplishment for any coach.
Coach Newsome will conclude his twelve year tenure as the 2nd longest active Head Coach in Kannapolis Football history since 1924, one season shy of knotting (The Late) Robert "Bob" Boswell's 13 seasons. Coach Newsome concludes his coaching career at A.L. Brown with an overall 95-49 record, having won 66% of his contests. Since Coach Newsome's arrival in 2011, the Wonders have scrimmaged six seasons in the 4A Classification and six seasons in the 3A Classification. Coach Newsome led Wonder teams won two South Piedmont 3A Conference titles in both 2011 and 2020, with the last one coming in the abbreviated 2020 Covid makeup season in the late winter of 2021.
Coach Newsome has taken the Wonders to the post regular season playoffs in eleven of his twelve seasons, missing the post regular season just once in 2019, winning two District 3A Championships. Coach Newsome was an overall 8-11 in post regular season playoff football, and took the Wonders as far as the third round in two of those eleven appearances. Coach Newsome led Wonder teams put up a total of 4800 offensive points, allowing 3064 over 144 games he coached.
Coach Newsome concludes his coaching career with an overall record of 9-3 versus arch rival Concord, and currently holds the longest active win streak of eight consecutive wins over the Spiders, the longest of any head coach at A.L. Brown High since 1924. Coach Newsome led Wonder teams have defeated Concord by a combined 355-210 over those twelve contests. Upon his retirement, Head Coach Mike Newsome was just five wins away from recording his 100th career win at A.L. Brown, which would have made him the 4th Wonder Head Coach to achieve the milestone along with (The Late) Bob Boswell, Bruce Hardin, and (The Late) Ron Massey. It should be noted that under twelve year head coach Mike Newsome, Kannapolis Football has yet to record a losing season since 1977. This is a fantastic accomplishment for any coach.
Justin Hardin
5-6
2023
04-00-23: At 6:46 PM May 8, 2023, Justin Hardin, son of former Wonder Legendary Head Coach Bruce Hardin was announced as A.L. Brown's new head football coach, replacing recently retired twelve year head coach Mike Newsome. The announcement was made at the Kannapolis City Schools Administrative Office on the Campus of A.L. Brown High School this evening in front of a very large crowd in attendance. The announcement came with much applause, as Justin becomes Kannapolis Football's Seventeenth head football coach in the history of Kannapolis Football since 1924.
One of the twin sons of Former Wonder Head Coach Bruce Hardin, Justin along with his twin brother Blair were three year veterans of Kannapolis Football teams that went a combined 40-3 from 1997-1999. A graduate with the A.L. Brown Class of 2000, Justin was the starting QB for the defending state 3A Champion Wonders who fell in heartbreaking fashion to Kings Mountain in the Western Sectional Final in 1998.
Justin was the Senior starting QB in 1999, and led the Wonders to a 12-1 record before losing in the 3A District Final to Concord in 1999. Justin was part of the last A.L. Brown Football team to have a perfect undefeated regular season in Kannapolis Football history, something that has not be done since. With this hire, Justin becomes the first ever former player in the history of Kannapolis Football to take on the head coaching responsibilities at A.L. Brown, and the first Son of a former Wonder head football coach to become Head Coach.
One of the twin sons of Former Wonder Head Coach Bruce Hardin, Justin along with his twin brother Blair were three year veterans of Kannapolis Football teams that went a combined 40-3 from 1997-1999. A graduate with the A.L. Brown Class of 2000, Justin was the starting QB for the defending state 3A Champion Wonders who fell in heartbreaking fashion to Kings Mountain in the Western Sectional Final in 1998.
Justin was the Senior starting QB in 1999, and led the Wonders to a 12-1 record before losing in the 3A District Final to Concord in 1999. Justin was part of the last A.L. Brown Football team to have a perfect undefeated regular season in Kannapolis Football history, something that has not be done since. With this hire, Justin becomes the first ever former player in the history of Kannapolis Football to take on the head coaching responsibilities at A.L. Brown, and the first Son of a former Wonder head football coach to become Head Coach.
"Success - it 's what you do with what you've got." -Wayne Woodrow Hayes-