• 64°
franklin county times

SPORTS YEAR IN REVIEW: Coach of the Year – RMS Coach Larry Gilmer earns national recognition

S4-YEARINREVIEW4

Coaching middle school football is a passion for Russellville Middle School Coach Larry Gilmer – and now it’s something for which he’s been nationally-recognized.

Dove Men+Care Deodorant and the College Football Hall of Fame recognized the Gilmer with a surprise pep rally to present him with the Dove Men+Care Deodorant Caring Coach of the Year Award. The recognition celebrates “the ways in which his care has been a positive force in his community for the last two decades.”

A film crew was in town to create a documentary about Gilmer. The filming included time on Monday when former players read letters to Gilmer to thank him for his impact on their lives. The coach said he found it hard not to get emotional at the surprise tribute.

“As a coach, when you’re dealing with seventh and eighth grade kids, you don’t know if what you’re saying is really sinking in,” Gilmer said. “For them to come back and take time out of their jobs … to come back for me, to recognize me, was very special. I guess I did make an influence – I sure tried to. I love them – I’ll always love them.”

This is the second year Dove Men+Care Deodorant has presented such an award. Of hundreds of nominations from fans across the country, the brand selected four youth and high school football coaches who most strongly display the award’s criteria – identified as passion, determination, respect, support and encouragement – and make a lasting impression on the lives of their players and within their communities.

In addition to receiving the award at the celebratory pep rally, Gilmer and his nominator – Wes Richardson – will receive funding for the Russellville Middle School football team and a trip to Atlanta, Ga., in December to be honored by the College Football Hall of Fame.

For Gilmer’s part, he was rendered nearly speechless by the honor, which he called “overwhelming” and “flattering.”

“I can’t believe it. I really can’t,” Gilmer said.

He shared some of his philosophy on coaching – the very principles that pegged him for the award.

“We play to win – but it’s more important to me to be a good example and try to teach them how to be good young men, good daddies, good husbands and to be good people in the community. That’s more important to me than winning football games,” Gilmer said. “At the end of the day, wins don’t matter. Turning these young men into good roles models is more important than winning football games.”

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x