HAMILTON, Ohio—It’s been 31 years since Badin High School won a state championship in football. And the coach that led them there in 1990 is legendary. The coach that led that team to glory back in 1990 was Terry Malone
What You Need To Know
- Coach Terry Malone coached the Badin Rams football team for 46 years, and at the time he retired in 2003 was the winningest coach in OHSAA football
- Now, the Rams have a chance to win the state title for the first time in 31 years
- Head coach Nick Yordy played running back under Coach Malone
- Malone's youngest son Steve is now a part of the coaching staff and hopes to bring home another state title
“Everybody always wanted to play under Coach Malone, that’s how you grew up and it doesn’t happen very often anymore," Badin football head coach Nick Yordy said. "So to be a part of that and try to rebuild that a little bit is pretty special.”
Yordy played under Malone in the 90s, losing in the state semis.
“I don’t know if it would be revenge but it would feel pretty sweet," he said. "It would be a great feeling.”
Malone became the winningest coach in Ohio high school football-
“He put Badin on the map," Yordy said. "He was the guy, 46 seasons.”
Something Yordy says is tough to follow.
“Big shoes to fill," he said.
But Yordy has a little help from the Malone family to try and bring it home. Terry’s youngest son Steve is part of Yordy’s staff.
“My dad, his teams were based off defense and running the football and that’s pretty much what we did this season," Steve said. "He would be extremely excited to watch us play and he would be extremely proud of this team.”
Terry retired from coaching in 2003 and passed away in 2017. But Yordy and Steve will never forget the fond memories of playing under the legend
“You didn’t want to get in trouble," Yordy said. "You didn’t want to do anything wrong because his teeth would fall out! When his teeth came out or when he pulled them out, you knew you were in trouble.”
“There is a couple times he lost them in the mud and had the trainer go find them," Steve said.
Now, back at the state title game together, they know they have a legendary coach pulling for them.
“It would be great for Mom and Dad to be here and watch the game but unfortunately those things happen," Steve said. "They’ll definitely be watching from above and it’ll be fun and exciting.”
“I’m sure he’s looking down," Yordy said. "I’m sure he’s pretty happy about it and we’re going to go out and try to represent Coach Malone and Badin football.”