Frank Jernigan Sr.

Anne,
We were sorry to hear about the recent loss of your father. Our sympathies go out to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lola

Coach Jernigan walked the halls of North Fulton, stopping to speak to students, compliment them, or just saying "hello". Often, I would hear him ask a student to come see him. This might not be a student in his classes, or a football player, but someone that he had heard needed some encouragement, a "talking to", or just someone that needed to know that Coach Jernigan was available to them. His smile and blue eyes, and that distinctive laugh would put anyone at ease. He will be missed.

I not only had Coach Jernigan as my homeroom (D-3) teacher my junior year at North Fulton, I was also fortunate enough to have him as my principal when I taught at O'Keefe. One of my fonder memories was when he came in the classroom to observe and managed to overlook our unofficial mascot - a puppy - who came to school for several months with my team teacher. I am sad that he is gone.

Dear Maryann,
I was deeply saddened to read of Frank's death. I have so many wonderful memories of him during his years at GSU. He did such a spectacular job as head of Recreation-especially the Touch the Earth program. He was a wonderful influence on so many people. May God bless you at this time of grief.
Katie Schane, Dept. of KH, GSU, retired

I attended North Fulton High 1953 thru 1957 & was very fortunate to have played football 54-57 under "Head Coach" Frank Jernigan! "Coach" was was a very straight-forwarded person, with whom I respected & seeked council & recommendations as to teaching/coaching upon returning from the Navy. He was in charge of all of Ga. State Univ. recreation facilities/assets at that time. He forwarded my resume & talked to a number of his connections. He & I had more than several occassions to discuss...

Coach Jernigan was very adept at working with young folks whether in the classroom or on the ball field. I particularly enjoyed playing B-team baseball for him my freshman or sophomore year and being a student in his American History class. I pitched erratically to say the least and Coach had a great way of calming me down when I got in jams. He also made history come alive and was one of the two or three best teachers I had at NF (52-57). I didn't play much varsity football but...

Frank Jernigan became head football coach at NF in 1953/54 when Jack Griffin returned to Ga. Tech to coach. Frank’s staff was comprised of former college football players: Coaches Hartness (Furman), Loftin (Auburn), Maupin (UGA) (B-team), and Fussell (forgot) (C-team). He molded an excellent offense and good teams. He inspired us to play our best. The 1957 team went 6-4, but previous and later teams had better records.

As a note to other NF grads, Joe Cheshire was also at Frank's...

Not only was Coach Jernigan my 8th grade geography teacher and the coach throughout my years at NF, he coached my younger brother. Tommy became the most improved player and the starting quarterback his senior year thanks to the encouragement and coaching ability of Coach Jernigan. He was well loved at North Fulton and my entire family was touched by his teaching and his coaching and caring friendship.

I was in his history class at North Fulton in 1956 or 1957 I knew his brother James at Peachtree Meth. Frank was a great man and he will be missed, He was a great teacher, Keep your chen up