John T. Curtis, better known as Jetty, became the second football coach to reach 600 wins at any level after John Curtis led Christian (River Ridge, La.) To a 37-16 victory over Archbishop Shaw (Marrero, La). Friday.
The tireless 74-year-old now only follows the late John McKissick of Sumerville (S.C) who retired in 2014 with a 621-155-13 record in 62 seasons. McKissick died in 2019 at the age of 93.
Curtis, in his 52nd second, began coaching in 1969 at the age of 22.
A 27-point explosion in the second quarter gave the Patriots their second win of the season in three outings.
Known for his heroic offense and three days of perfect practice in his early years, the former Nose Tackle at the University of Arkansas led the Patriots to 27 state titles.
His team has lost 71 times, including six ties, although they have not been able to dominate in recent years, having gone 6-4 last season when they entered the game 1-1 on Friday.
He has coached at least 13 players to the NFL, including 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee Alan Faneka, former New England Patriots first-round draft pick Reggie Dupard and current linebacker Duke Riley (Dolphins) and Ken Dolphin.
John Curtis Christian In 1962, Curtis’ father, John T. Was founded by Curtis Sr.
J.T. He went 0-10 in his first season in 1969, but won his first state crown six seasons later. He led the Patriots in 14 unbeaten seasons, most recently in 2018 when they went 13-0 to win the State Division I title.
“I firmly believe that amateur athletics is the backbone of our country,” he told FNFCoaches.com. “When the boys come back and say ‘thank you,’ the coaching rewards.”
Christopher Dubey of Nola.com interviewed several of the players in his 1970 squad that were part of his first high school win. Former two-way lineman Harry Hawks thinks Curtis has no reason to break McKissick’s all-time record.
“If Tom Brady could be a quarterback until he’s 50, J.T. could be a coach for 100 years,” Hawks said. “He’s an ageless wonder.”
On September 24, Hampton (Va.) Coach Mike Smith became the third high school coach to reach 500 wins with a 19-6 win over Warwick (Newport News). Smith’s Crabbers led 4-0 in Friday’s game of Phoebus (Hampton).
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