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Lake City, Florida: A Sesquicentennial Tribute (2009) H. Morris Williams, Dr. Kevin M. McCarthy

Chapter Sixteen: 1960 - 1969
One day I read that Coach Quinn had become one of the
winningest coaches in Florida high school football history so I called
to congratulate him. He thanked me and, as always, he asked me if
there was anything he could do for me. Then in late 1990, I heard that
Coach Quinn had terminal cancer. I called to ask him if there was
anything I could do. I could hear the tears in his voice and I felt incredibly
sad. It had been 20 years since I had seen him, but just hearing his
voice took me back to those high school years when he had meant so
much to me. I knew I had to go see him. I drove to his home not even
knowing if he would remember me. After all, he had coached hundreds
of players. But he did remember me and all our times together in great
detail.

I tried to tell him how much he had meant to me when I was
just a kid, how his lessons had gone to my heart, and how they had
paid dividends all my adult life. We prayed together and then it was
time to go. He waved from the door as I drove away. I suppose we
both knew we would never see each other again. Coach Quinn had
wanted to live through the Thanksgiving holidays, but he died
Thanksgiving week. I took that Thanksgiving season as an occasion
to be thankful for how much Coach Quinn had
meant to my life. I will always thank God that
Coach Quinn was in my life.”

Coach Paul Quinn (1924 – 1990) had
a 71 – 8 – 2 record as the football coach at
Columbia High School (1964 – 1970), taking
his team to the state playoffs or a bowl game in
each of his seven years there. He took the 1965
Tigers to the state championship final and won
CHS’s only state football title in 1967. His great
teams and infectious enthusiasm made Friday
nights special in Columbia County during his
tenure there. He taught football skills, but – more
importantly – character, values, and integrity.

Information brochure about an LCCC
scholarship fund in the coach’s honor

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