Bottom line: David Gentry had two coaching stints before landing at Murphy High, and he posted losing records in both places. But he found his groove in Murphy, North Carolina, a small town in the Smoky Mountains just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee.
He started at Murphy in 1984 and won a state title in his fourth season behind the play of future Pro Bowl receiver Carl Pickens. However, Gentry has experienced his most success as of late. The Bulldogs have won at least 10 games every year in this decade and have won three state titles.
Even other longtime coaches in the area are amazed at what Gentry and Murphy High have done.
“He does it the old-fashioned way, and I admire that,” said Franklin coach Josh Brooks, who has coached against Gentry in games each of the past 14 years. “I can’t wrap my mind around his numbers, and when you have won as much as he has at the level he has played against for that long, it’s really unbelievable.”
