Paul Benefield reaches 300 wins at Fyffe with win over Ider
Paul Benefield joined a select group of coaches on Friday night.
Actually, he joined one other coach.
Fyffe defeated Ider 46-0, giving Benefield win No. 300 at the school. He joins longtime Vestavia Hills coach Buddy Anderson as the only AHSAA coaches to win at least 300 games at the same school.
“Well I guess to begin with I’ve been blessed to be able have good health and to be able to coach as long as I have,” he said. “I just want to share this with my players of the past and this year’s team because they are the only reason we have been able accomplish this milestone. It’s a blessing to be in a community that allows me to coach their children.”
The Red Devils (8-1) have won eight straight games since losing their season opener to Geraldine. Benefield is now 300-45 in his 27th year coaching at his alma mater. He’s won six state titles.
He now has 345 wins overall — he won 45 in five years at Sylvania — and is one behind Anderson for third on the all-times wins list. UMS-Wright coach Terry Curtis leads the way with 353. Central-Clay County’s Danny Horn has 350.