It’s getting down to the nitty gritty as they say. We are in the elite 8 as voted by you the fans as who is the best coach of all time in our area. We started out with 32 of the best, and now we are down to 8. We’ve got the two best coaches in four areas of sport matched up against one another. And knowing how competitive these coaches are, it’s going to be close ones all the way. Luckily we have you to vote for the best of all time!
The Road they traveled..
The new road that begins!
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Corky Rogers vs Robby Pruitt
With High School Football season upon us, its time to vote for the best high school football coach of all time in our area. Region 3 in the elite 8 will crown this coach, but it won’t be as easy a vote as some may think. Both Coaches have resumes out of this world, and though one may have the name you know, the other made sure you knew his name.
Legendary high school football coach Charles “Corky” Rogers capped a 45-year career following the 2016 season that produced the most wins, state titles (10), championship game appearances, Hall of Fame inductions and collegiate players of any coach in Florida.
Rogers finished his coaching career with a 466-85-1 record, accumulating a 141-39-1 record at Lee from 1972-1988 and 325-46 at Bolles from 1989 through 2016.
He became the eighth coach in the history of high school football throughout the nation to reach 400 wins, while also being named the National High School Football Coach of the Year for 2004-05 by the National High School Coaches Association.
Among the Hall of Fames Rogers has been inducted to include: National High School Hall of Fame (2015), Florida Sports Hall of Fame (2013), Robert E. Lee High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame (2013), Gator Bowl Hall of Fame (2012), Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame (2005) and Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) Hall of Fame (2002).
While other coaching legends won state titles with private schools, Pruitt (156-28) did the same and then the unthinkable winning several state titles with a public school as well.
At University Christian, Pruitt guided the Christians to seven straight playoff appearances, winning four state titles (87, 89, 91, 92) along with a state runner-up finish in 1990). Pruitt left UC to take over a struggling Union County program and quickly made them into a state power winning three consecutive state titles in 1994-1996 and a state record 52 consecutive victories.
He holds the state record for most consecutive district championships with 12, and has won more state football championships than any other coach in Florida high school history. He became the youngest individual to be inducted into the FHSAA Hall of Fame in 2000.
In his time at University Christian, Pruitt, who also led the Mighty Christians to a state runner-up finish in 1990, accrued such accolades as Bold City Conference Coach of the Year (1986, 1988, 1989, 1990), Florida Athletic Coaches Association Class A Coach of the Year (1987, 1989), Florida Times-Union Coach of the Year (1987), and Jacksonville Quarterback Club Coach of the Year (1989). Pruitt’s tenure at Union County produced similar results, as his honors include Gainesville Sun Coach of the Year (1994, 1995, 1996), FACA Class 3A Coach of the Year (1994, 1996, 1997), Suwannee Conference Coach of the Year (1995, 1997), FACA Florida Coach of the Year (1996), NFICA National Coach of the Year (1996), and Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year (1998).
This matchup brings to light one of the most polarizing debates in High School Football… Public vs Private! With all the accomplishments both coaches enjoy in their careers, one coach took a private school to uncharted heights while the other took a public school that far. You can only choose one, so who will it be?
