A legendary Alabama high school football coach is ready to call it a career.
Central-Clay County football coach Danny Horn is set to retire following a 38-year career as a coach, according to AL.com. Horn, 64, is the winningest high school football coach in state history.
However, he felt like his time as a coach had come to an end following a 24-7 loss to Deshler in the first round of the AHSAA Class 4A playoffs.
“I’m about on empty,” Horn said. “I’m just worn out.”
Horn finishes his career with a 380-105 record to go along with eight state championships and a 55-game winning streak, the longest such in state history.
With his retirement, Horn will not hold the distinction of the winningest coach in Alabama for long. Fyffe head coach Paul Benefield
— the owner of the second-longest winning streak in state history — has his Red Devils still playing in the playoffs and is just two wins behind Horn.
Another state championship for Benefield would also tie him with eight, tying Horn.
Horn told AL.com the AHSAA not enforcing rules prohibiting recruiting and transfers played a role in his decision to step down.
“I’m just tired of having to deal with it,” Horn said. “It’s not fair. It’s an unlevel playing field. With us being isolated like we are, we’re gonna play with what we’ve got and that’s how high school athletics is supposed to be. There’s just not a lot of honor in it. I’m not going to recruit because it’s illegal.
“Some people get 10, 12 (transfers) a year. Where did the pride in your school go? I don’t see how you can be involved in the community if you’re moving every year. The only way you’re gonna really stop all this is to declare them ineligible for a year (when they transfer).”
While Horn's retirement is fresh, his replacement has already been found. His son, Chase, will be the next in line to carry his father's legacy.
Chase, 39, was a quarterback on the 2005 team and has been an assistant to his father.
“I’m just going to do my best to keep the stuff going that he’s done because the proof’s in the pudding,” Chase Horn said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alabama's winningest high school football coach retires after 38 years
