‘A good man, a man of class’: Friends, colleagues remember Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Perry
Friends and fellow coaches are remembering Hall of Fame football coach Jimmy Perry today as a man of the highest character.
Perry died at his home in Dadeville on Saturday night surrounded by family after a lengthy battle with cancer.
His daughter Jana Perry said, 'He set a standard nobody can match. He was the best.'
Perry was 68 years old and had been married to his wife Judy for 47 years.
Former UMS-Wright head coach Terry Curtis said, 'He was respected by everyone. Whether your team played his or didn’t, as a coach or as an administrator at Auburn, everyone respected Jimmy Perry. He was a good man, a man of class.'
Perry spent 44 years in coaching, including five years as Auburn University’s director of high school relations. He was a high school head coach for 19 years at Lee, St. Paul’s and Saint James.
He was inducted into the Alabama High School Hall of Fame in 2022.
David Stapleton, a friend of Perry’s for more than 34 years, said, 'He was a great family man and a fantastic coach. Just a solid human being. He was successful everywhere he worked. When he was at Auburn, he took care of all his colleagues and friends.'
Perry retired from high school coaching in 2022, leading Saint James to a 13-2 overall record and the Class 3A state championship. His Trojans defeated Piedmont 45-28 in Auburn to win the championship.
He went 92-37 in 11 years as the Saint James head coach, making the playoffs in every season but one. Saint James announced in December that it would name the football stadium in his honor.
Saint James Head of School Dr. Larry McLemore said, 'Coach Jimmy Perry has left an incredible legacy, not only in his achievements on the field, but as a man of character. His leadership has shaped so many lives through his focus on what matters most and giving countless hours to mentoring and building up others. Jimmy will be deeply missed and his mark on our school community is lasting.'
Perry also served as head coach at his alma mater, Lee-Montgomery, leading the Generals to the Class 6A title game in 1999. He spent three years at St. Paul’s, leading the Saints to the Class 5A quarterfinals in his final year there (2011).
In 19 years as a high school head coach, he went 157-69 overall, including an 86-18 record in region play. He went 38-24 at his alma mater. He was 27-8 at St. Paul’s in Mobile, leading that team to the 5A quarterfinals in 2011.
Steve Mask, who worked with Perry at St. Paul’s and took over as head coach of the Saints when Perry left for Saint James, said, 'We lost a great man and a great coach, and I personally lost a dear, dear friend. It’s hard to explain what he meant to me and how close we were. I wouldn’t be in Mobile if it weren’t for Jimmy Perry. My thoughts and prayers are with Judy and his children Jana and Danny.'
Perry graduated from Auburn in 1979 and began his coaching career at Trinity Presbyterian as defensive coordinator in 1979. He served as offensive line coach at Lee – now Percy Julian – from 1982 to 1984 and was the team’s offensive coordinator from 1985-1994 before being promoted to head coach.
He spent five years as Auburn University’s director of high school relations before returning to the high school ranks in 2009.
Curtis said, 'He could coach. You knew when you went up against him that you better be prepared because he was going to be prepared to stop whatever you wanted to do. If you had a weakness, he would find it.'
Longtime friend and Montgomery talk show host Doug Amos said Perry was among his first friends early in his career.
Amos wrote on Facebook, 'Whether playing golf, having fun at the beach or walking the sidelines at one of his games, time spent in his presence was always fun. When I used to cover the BASSMASTERS CLASSIC, he was always the recipient of all the fishing gear I received. Nobody loved bass fishing more. I kept the two photos post-state title at STJ because I’d never seen him look happier. I’ll miss him deeply. Praying for strength and peace for his beautiful family. Love you brother. Always.'
Montgomery Catholic head coach Aubrey Blackwell played for Perry at Lee. Perry also gave Blackwell his first high school coaching job at St. Paul’s.
Blackwell said, 'I never have loved a man more because of what he stood for and the way he went about coaching kids. I am a football coach today because of the way he impacted me, the things he taught me, the way he treated us, the way he cared about us.'
Blackwell also talked about how Perry mentored his assistant coaches and how, when Blackwell got his first head coaching job, he continued to mentor him.
Blackwell said, 'He was one of a kind. He would always tell us the true measure of a man is not defined by whatever success he has but by what those he truly loves think about him. That is what you fight for. That sticks. That is how he molded us. He would always tell us to make a difference around you, make a difference in the world.'
Mountain Brook head coach Chris Yeager said Perry was one of his 'favorite people in the world.'
Yeager said, 'We are in a profession where you have to compete with one another but at the same time respond and love one another, and I loved Jimmy Perry. I think he epitomized what the coaching community should be about. He was all about caring for the players, making the sport better and growing the sport.'
'He was a giver. He was always so upbeat. I think everyone who knew him felt like one of his best friends because that is how he treated you. He made everyone better in every way.'
Arrangements have not yet been finalized.
